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Please note the following page discusses content including sexual, emotional, and physical abuse that may be triggering or upsetting.
If you, or someone else, is in immediate danger please call triple zero (000). Or for immediate support, please visit or call:
- Headspace at 1800 650 890
- Lifeline at 13 11 14
- 1800RESPECT at 1800 737 732.
About sexual health for young people
Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being related to sexuality. It's not just the absence of disease or dysfunction, but a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and relationships. Examples include:
- taking responsibility for your own health and the health of your partner/s
- freely making informed decisions about sexual activity
- being empowered to pursue pleasurable sex
- access to contraception that meets individual needs.
Read more about sexual health and healthy relationships.
Consent
Understanding sexual consent
Sexual consent is a free, voluntary and informed agreement between people to participate in a sexual act. It only counts if the people involved:
- genuinely want to engage in the described sexual activity
- understand what is going on
- feel safe to show or say yes or no in a clear and open way
- actively check in with each other and respect the answer – no pressure, no guessing, and no pretending silence means yes.
You can decide at any time that you want to stop – even if you've already started.
Learn more about consent on the Department of Social Services website.
Watch this video about consent.
Consent in your state or territory
Laws about what counts as consent and the legal age of consent vary depending on where you are in Australia.
In most places, it’s either 16 or 17 years old. It is important to understand which laws apply to you.
Read more about the age of consent in your state or territory.
Young Australians’ experiences of consent
Many young Australians have experienced unwanted sexual behaviour with:
- 1 in 12 girls and 1 in 8 boys reported having engaged in sexually unwanted behaviours towards someone else in the past 12 months
- 1 in 2 girls and 1 in 3 boys reported having experienced some form of unwanted sexual behaviour in the past 12 months
- data showing almost half of Australians are not confident in their understanding of sexual consent.
Check that you understand consent and how it relates to yourself and other people.
Unwanted sexual behaviour
Unwanted sexual behaviour refers to any sexual behaviour that occurs without the consent of all individuals involved.
Learn more about unwanted sexual behaviour and what it can include on the healthdirect website and sexual violence on the eSafety Commissioner's website.
Online abusive behaviour
No matter what your age is, it is illegal to share or keep sexual images or videos of people under the age of 18 or have sexual contact with them online. Read more about online sexual abuse and how to get help.
If you are concerned about your own sexual behaviour in person or online, you can get help at Stop It Now.
If you or someone you know has experienced unwanted sexual behaviour in person or online, you can get help at Child Safety or ReachOut.
When to visit a health service
If you experience painful sex, it is important to visit a health professional to find the cause.
Being sexually active may also increase your risk of experiencing urinary tract infections (UTI), or getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or blood-borne virus (BBV).
Sexually transmitted infections and blood borne viruses
Preventing and treating sexually transmissible infections (STI) and blood borne viruses (BBV) is really important for your sexual health.
If you don’t get treatment, these infections can harm your body in lots of ways. They can:
- damage your organs
- affect your ability to have kids
- sometimes even cause lifelong problems or death.
If you’re pregnant, some infections can pass to your baby or cause serious issues during pregnancy.
Read more about STI and BBVs on the healthdirect website.
Often STI do not show symptoms. You can still pass on an STI even if you don't notice symptoms, or after your symptoms get better.
Find out more about testing for STIs in our Beforeplay campaign, including:
- what’s involved
- how often to get tested
- where to find health services.
What to expect
A doctor or nurse may ask you about your sexual activities and health history. This conversation is private. It helps them work out what your health risks might be and which tests you may need.
If you need a test, STI and BBV tests are usually quick and easy – often a simple blood test, urine sample, or a swab. Some swabs can be done by yourself.
Treatment depends on the infection. Many common STI can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. Some infections, like chlamydia, gonorrhoea and hepatitis C, can be cured. Others, such as HIV and hepatitis B, cannot be cured but can be managed with ongoing care. Your health professional can help you with this.
Read more about STI and BBV.
Contraception
Contraception is everyone’s responsibility and is important to explore prior to engaging in sexual activity. Contraception methods can:
- help prevent unplanned pregnancy
- prevent the spread of STI and BBV
- regulate menstruation
- help manage reproductive issues like endometriosis or hormonal issues like acne.
All methods have different rates of success, and some have side effects that you should be aware of. You should speak to your doctor about which methods may be right for you.
Read more about your contraception options.
Pregnancy and reproductive health
Reproductive health is about looking after your body and wellbeing as it grows and changes. It’s not just about having babies – it’s about staying healthy, informed and having choices throughout your life. Even if you’re not thinking about having kids anytime soon, taking care of your reproductive health now can help prevent problems later in life.
Reproductive health includes:
- a state of physical, mental and social wellbeing in matters relating to the reproductive system
- education about reproductive health and rights
- menstrual health
- the ability to have a safe and satisfying sex life
- the ability and freedom to have a child if, when and how you choose to
- access to contraception
- infertility care and access to services
- safe pregnancy care and the increased likelihood of having a healthy pregnancy
- safe childbirth care
- access to appropriate health services and advice, including prevention and treatment of STI and BBV
- safe access to abortion (termination of pregnancy).
Reproductive health is negatively affected by diseases like STI and BBV, lack of access to and understanding of contraception options and limited understanding of fertility issues. While you may not be interested in starting a family yet, it is important to maintain good reproductive health to reduce the chance of fertility issues later.
Read more about reproductive health.
Pregnancy
Having a healthy pregnancy is good for both the mum and the baby. It means, from the time you get pregnant until the baby is born:
- eating well
- staying active
- asking for help if you need it
- making healthy lifestyle choices.
Doing these things can lower the chance of problems and help you have a healthy baby. One of the most important things you can do is see a doctor or midwife early and keep going to your antenatal (pregnancy) check-ups.
Sometimes young people can get pregnant unexpectedly. Even if it feels scary or overwhelming, it’s really important to learn how to look after yourself and your baby. Talking to a doctor can help you get support and understand all the options you have.
Learn more about healthy pregnancies.
Abortion (termination of pregnancy)
Access to abortion is an essential part of reproductive health and human rights. Choosing to end a pregnancy is a personal decision. Laws about when and how someone can get an abortion are different in each state and territory.
Australia has safe, supportive clinics that can give you advice and help you understand your options.
Read more about:
Healthy relationships
When you’re a teenager or young adult, your friendships and romantic relationships start to matter a lot more. These relationships help you figure out who you are outside your family and help you feel connected to others. A healthy relationship means both people respect each other, support each other, communicate honestly and feel free to make their own choices.
Signs of unhealthy relationships
Relationships can be fun, exciting and sometimes hard. It’s important to understand what behaviour is not okay, and how to protect yourself and support your friends. People of any age can find it difficult to tell the difference between healthy and unhealthy behaviour, especially if it’s their first relationship.
If someone you care about – whether it’s a family member, friend or partner – makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe, lonely or controlled, that behaviour is never okay.
Coercive control
Coercive control is when someone slowly uses different types of abuse to make another person feel scared and take away their independence. It can happen in any kind of relationship and can be online or in‑person. Even small behaviours can build up and cause a lot of harm over time.
Coercive control can happen in any type of relationship, such as within families and friendships, and can also continue after a relationship has ended.
Many people who go through this feel stuck, worried and unsure of themselves, which makes it hard to leave or get help. Coercive control can be sneaky – the abusive behaviour might not seem bad at first, or it might even look like caring. Sometimes the person doing it will try to convince you or others that what they’re doing is totally normal, even when it’s not.
Learn more about coercive control on the Attorney-General’s website.
Signs of coercive control
Early in a romantic relationship your partner may:
- be overly affectionate, constantly flatter you, shower you with gifts or say ’I love you‘ very early on
- want to spend all of your time together and be in constant communication.
This is sometimes called ‘love bombing’.
Learn more about recognising the signs of coercive control.
If you or someone close to you is in distress or immediate danger, please call 000.
Get help and advice
You can contact 1800RESPECT if you’re worried:
- about unhealthy behaviour in any of your relationships
- that a friend or family member is in an unhealthy relationship.
Talk to your friend or family member privately in a place where they feel safe. Let them know you care about them and that you’re worried, without blaming or judging them.
1800RESPECT can help you figure out what to say and how to support your friend or family member in the safest way.
1800RESPECT
Dealing with a breakup
Breakups are something a lot of young people go through. Losing a relationship can be really hard and emotional. It can affect your:
- mood
- sleep
- study
- job
- friendships.
Feeling sad or upset is normal.
Things that can help you feel better include:
- giving yourself time and being kind to yourself
- doing activities and hobbies you enjoy
- spending time with people who care about you
- keeping up healthy habits like sleep, exercise, and eating well
- talking to someone you trust about how you’re feeling
- sticking to your usual routines, like school, work, and catching up with friends
- trying to learn and grow from the experience
- being respectful to the other person, as they may be upset too
- avoiding alcohol or drugs to cope with your feelings.
If you’re finding it hard to cope, extra help is available through services like:
Talking about sexual and reproductive health and healthy relationships
Talking to parents, carers or other adults about sexual and reproductive health and healthy relationships can feel awkward or hard. It can be tough to know how to start, but asking questions is important – especially if you feel unsure or confused.
Here are some tips to help with those conversations:
- Choose a safe place and talk to an adult you trust.
- Try to have regular chats with parents, carers or adults about tricky topics, instead of one big conversation.
- Make it easier by talking while doing something you both enjoy, like going for a walk or driving together.
- Use examples from TV shows, social media, or health class to help explain what you are worried about.
- Be respectful – the person you are speaking to might feel awkward too.
- Be honest about what you want to ask so you get the right information.
- Remember it is normal to feel curious, nervous, worried, or embarrassed.
If you do not feel comfortable talking to your parents or carers, that is OK. You can reach out to another trusted adult, such as a family member, doctor, sports coach, teacher, or school counsellor.
There are also support services that can help you sort through questions or concerns.
What we are doing
Find out what we are doing to improve sexual and reproductive health and education about healthy relationships for all people in Australian.