These two feel pretty stoked right now.
Is it because they just had great sex?
Or because they used a condom?
Was it the ‘chilling’ before that…
Or because it felt like the perfect match?
Maybe?
Or maybe they felt safe doing the best part, because they regularly do the test part.
Yeah, that’s it.
Make STI testing your Beforeplay.
Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.
Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) are passed from person to person through sexual contact.
Prevention
The best ways to prevent STIs are to:
- get tested regularly
- practise safe sex
- use protection such as condoms and dental dams, in combination with condom-safe lubricants
- get vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B
- talk to your healthcare professional about whether pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is suitable for you, and how and when accessing HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may be appropriate for you.
Doing these things reduce your risk of getting an STI, but there is still a chance of infection. Hormonal contraception such as the birth control pill does not protect you from STIs.
There’s a surge in syphilis cases
Did you know there’s a surge in syphilis cases in Australia? Syphilis can cause serious health problems for everyone. It often has no symptoms and many people don’t know they have it. Syphilis can be passed on to your unborn baby if left untreated and have serious impacts including infant death.
Regular testing is crucial even if you feel fine. The best way to prevent syphilis and other STI is to practise safe sex by using protection and frequent STI testing.
Testing
Regular testing is important to:
- maintain good sexual health
- prevent the spread of STIs
- ensure infections are detected and treated as soon as possible.
Often STIs do not show symptoms. You can still pass on an STI even if you don't notice symptoms, or after your symptoms resolve.
You can get a test at your healthcare provider or a GP, sexual health clinics and more.
Treatment and management
Most STIs are easily treated and many are curable or can be managed. Early detection is key.
Some STIs can be treated with antibiotics, but talk to your healthcare professional about treatment that’s right for you.
If left untreated, STIs can cause serious health problems. This can include permanent damage to your reproductive system which might result in infertility, chronic pain, and impact your unborn babies.
Common STIs
STIs can affect anyone of any age, gender, relationship status or sexual orientation.
Common STIs include:
- chlamydia
- syphilis
- gonorrhoea
- hepatitis B
- hepatitis C
- HIV
- HPV
- mpox (formerly Monkeypox).
Symptoms
Every STI is different and symptoms can be varied. Many people with an STI will have no symptoms. Common symptoms of STIs include:
- sores, bumps or ulcers on the genitals, mouth or rectal area
- pain when urinating or during sex
- unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
- unusual vaginal bleeding
- itchiness around genital area.
If left untreated, these symptoms can cause further pain and discomfort and lead to serious health complications.
Many STIs can also be asymptomatic, meaning that you can be infected without knowing. This is why regular testing and safe sex behaviours are so important for protecting your own health, and that of your sexual partners.
Connect with services
Talking about your sexual health is important. Speaking with your health care professional is a great place to start. You can also chat to your friends, partner or someone you feel comfortable talking to.
Find a sexual health clinic near you
Use healthdirect’s directory of healthcare professionals and services to find a service near you.
Australian information and services
Find links to national, state and territory information and services.
healthdirect hotline
Call 1800 022 222 to speak to a registered nurse about your health concerns. This hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics
UCCs give you and your family more options to see a doctor or nurse when you need care for urgent but not life-threatening illnesses or injuries. You can get tested and treated for STIs at these clinics.
Support
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) is a confidential information, counselling and support service. It is available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.
Get PEP
The Get PEP website provides detailed information about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). This includes what it is, when and how to take it, and where to access it in Australia. You can can visit their website 24 hours a day 7 days a week to learn more and find your nearest location to get PEP.
Fast facts
1 in 6
Australians has had a notifiable STI in their lifetime
155,681
cases of notifiable STI were reported in 2024
What is a notifiable STI?
Some diseases are tracked nationally to monitor outbreaks. This helps build a better understanding of these diseases and how best to reduce the harm they cause. Notifiable STIs include chlamydia, donovanosis, gonorrhoea and syphilis (congenital, less than 2 years duration, or more than 2 years or unspecified duration).
Syphilis is on the rise
On 7 August 2025, the Chief Medical Officer declared syphilis a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance following ongoing and concerning rises in case numbers in Australia. Since 2023, there has been 16,048 cases of syphilis recorded, including 41 cases of congenital syphilis resulting in 18 infant deaths.