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
Make STI testing your Beforeplay.
Staying on top of your sexual health means you can enjoy the moment knowing you and your partner are protected.
Prevention
The ultimate turn-on is peace of mind! The best way to prevent STIs is to practise safe sex.
You should:
- get tested regularly
- always use protection – like a condom (internal or external) or other barrier methods combined with condom-safe lubricants
- not have sex if anybody involved has symptoms that could be due to an STI – including in their mouth, anal or genital areas
- wash sex toys between use, and don’t share them
- talk to your partners about safe sex and STI testing.
Speak with your healthcare professional:
- if you think pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV might be suitable for you
- if you are a gay or bi+ cisgender man or trans woman, to find out whether you are eligible for doxy-PEP
- to discuss vaccination for human papillomavirus (HPV) and mpox.
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.
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.
You can have an STI without knowing. This is why regular testing and safe sex behaviours are so important for protecting your own health, and the health of your sexual partners.
Testing
STIs don’t discriminate.
Regular testing is important to:
- maintain good sexual health
- prevent the spread of STIs
- ensure infections are detected and treated as soon as possible.
You can have an STI without any symptoms, so regular testing is the only way to know.
You can still pass on an STI even if you don't notice symptoms, or after your symptoms resolve.
STI testing is quick, confidential and done in minutes. You can get a test at your healthcare provider or a GP, sexual health clinics and more.
Treatment and management
Most STIs are treatable, and many are curable or can be managed. Getting tested early means you can get the right treatment sooner.
Some STIs can be treated with antibiotics but talk to your healthcare professional about treatment that’s right for you.
Treatment is private and confidential. Getting treated helps protect your health, your partner and your community.
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
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 outcomes, including infant death.
Other common STIs include:
- chlamydia
- gonorrhoea
- genital herpes
- HIV
- HPV
- mpox (formerly Monkeypox)
- hepatitis B
- hepatitis C
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 partner, friends or someone you trust.
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
142,563
cases of notifiable STI were reported in 2025
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.