STI testing is quick and easy. Answer a few simple questions to find out which STI tests you might need. The recommendations vary based on whether you identify as female (cisgender), male (cisgender), trans or gender diverse or non-binary.
Select options above to show recommended STI tests for you to take to your doctor.
These recommendations are a guide only. If you have symptoms, see your doctor. It is not uncommon to have an STI and have no symptoms.
If one of your sexual partners has told you they have an STI, tell your doctor.
If you have been tested for STIs recently, you may not need to be tested again.
These recommendations vary based on whether you identify as female (cisgender), male (cisgender), trans or gender diverse or non-binary.
Sexual practices, genders and bodies are unique. It is important to find a health professional who you trust and let them know about your sexual partners and practices so they can provide you with the best sexual health care.
We recommend you have a routine STI test at least once a year.
We also recommend STI testing every three months if you have new or casual sexual partner/s or your sexual partner has other partners.
Discuss the following tests with your doctor:
Find out where you can be tested
If you’re 25 years of age or older, have a cervix and have been sexually active, you should have regular screening tests for cervical cancer.
Screening tests are recommended every five years from age 25.
See your doctor about cervical cancer screening.
If you have a vagina and womb and want to avoid pregnancy, speak to your doctor for contraceptive advice.
Find out more about different options for preventing pregnancy at Family Planning Victoria and 1800 My Options.
Having sex without condoms or dams increases your chance of getting sexually transmissible infections. We recommend testing for STIs even if condoms or dams are used.
Stay STI free by always using a condom or dam during sexual contact.
See your doctor if you think you might have genital herpes.
Genital herpes is usually diagnosed using a swab from a herpes sore. In general, we don’t recommend blood tests for herpes except under certain circumstances. Blood tests don’t always tell you whether you have genital herpes.
See your doctor if you think you might have genital warts.
There is no specific test for genital warts. They are diagnosed by a doctor from the appearance of a wart. This is why tests for warts have not been recommended as part of your sexual health check-up.
A vaccine is available which can prevent infection with the four human papillomavirus (HPV) types (6, 11, 16 and 18) which cause most genital warts and genital cancers. Speak to your doctor about vaccination options.
If you are fully vaccinated or already immune to both hepatitis A and hepatitis B, then you do not need to be vaccinated again.
If you are not sure whether you are fully protected against both types of hepatitis, ask your doctor for a blood test and discuss vaccination options.
If you have injected drugs not prescribed to you by a doctor, you should consider being tested for hepatitis C.
Gonorrhoea: As well as first-void urine testing, an anal swab* and throat swab for gonorrhoea is recommended in patients with a penis who have sexual partners with a penis because gonorrhoea at these sites is usually asymptomatic.
Chlamydia: Over 90% of urethral chlamydial infections are asymptomatic. We recommend testing of first-pass urine, pharyngeal and anal swabs* using nucleic acid tests.
Herpes simplex virus: False positive and false negative serology results occur, so serological screening of asymptomatic people for HSV is not recommended. Serology may, however, be useful in selected cases.
*Anal swabs should be collected by inserting the swab 1cm into the anal canal. These can be collected by patients themselves.
Gonorrhoea and chlamydia: Nucleic acid amplification tests can be performed on first-void urine, patient self-collected vaginal swabs, or endocervical swabs. The sensitivities of testing using these different methods of specimen collection are comparable. Gonorrhoea is increasing in incidence in women (other people with vaginas) in urban Australia, and is common among indigenous women (other people with vaginas) living in remote communities. False positive results are common with nucleic acid tests when used in populations with a low prevalence of infection.
Herpes simplex virus: False positive and false negative serology results occur, so serological screening of asymptomatic people for HSV is not recommended. Serology may, however, be useful in selected cases.
For more information call Melbourne Sexual Health Centre on (03) 9341 6200.
For information about STI testing and management guidelines for common STIs, visit Melbourne Sexual Health Centre: Health Professional.
Sexual health clinics, GP clinics and community health centres perform STI testing.
Visit one of our partner health services, or find a service in your local area.
We recommend you check your spam or junk folder if you don't receive the email in a few minutes. Note that your email address is not stored in any way. Refer to our Privacy statement for full details.
These recommendations are a guide only. If you have symptoms, see your doctor. It is not uncommon to have an STI and have no symptoms.
If one of your sexual partners has told you they have an STI, tell your doctor.
If you have been tested for STIs recently, you may not need to be tested again.
These recommendations vary based on whether you identify as female (cisgender), male (cisgender), trans or gender diverse or non-binary.
Sexual practices, genders and bodies are unique. It is important to find a health professional who you trust and let them know about your sexual partners and practices so they can provide you with the best sexual health care.
We recommend you have a routine STI test at least once a year.
We also recommend STI testing every three months if you have new or casual sexual partner/s or your sexual partner has other partners.
Discuss the following tests with your doctor:
Find out where you can be tested
Having sex without condoms or dams increases your chance of getting sexually transmissible infections. We recommend testing for STIs even if condoms or dams are used.
Stay STI free by always using a condom or dam during sexual contact.
See your doctor if you think you might have genital herpes.
Genital herpes is usually diagnosed using a swab from a herpes sore. In general, we don’t recommend blood tests for herpes except under certain circumstances. Blood tests don’t always tell you whether you have genital herpes.
See your doctor if you think you might have genital warts.
There is no specific test for genital warts. They are diagnosed by a doctor from the appearance of a wart. This is why tests for warts have not been recommended as part of your sexual health check-up.
A vaccine is available which can prevent infection with the four human papillomavirus (HPV) types (6, 11, 16 and 18) which cause most genital warts and genital cancers. Speak to your doctor about vaccination options.
Vaccination is the best protection against hepatitis B and is recommended for everyone. If you are fully vaccinated or already immune to hepatitis B, then you don’t need to be vaccinated again.
For more information, speak to your doctor.
If you have injected drugs not prescribed to you by a doctor, you should consider being tested for hepatitis C.
Gonorrhoea: Asymptomatic urethral gonorrhoea is uncommon, but testing is recommended as the incidence of gonorrhoea is increasing. We recommend testing of first-pass urine using nucleic acid tests. Urethral swabbing is unnecessary.
Chlamydia: Over 90% of urethral chlamydial infections are asymptomatic. We recommend testing of first-pass urine.
Herpes simplex virus: False positive and false negative serology results occur, so serological screening of asymptomatic people for HSV is not recommended. Serology may, however, be useful in selected cases.
For more information call Melbourne Sexual Health Centre on (03) 9341 6200.
For information about STI testing and management guidelines for common STIs, visit Melbourne Sexual Health Centre: Health Professional.
Sexual health clinics, GP clinics and community health centres perform STI testing.
Visit one of our partner health services, or find a service in your local area.
We recommend you check your spam or junk folder if you don't receive the email in a few minutes. Note that your email address is not stored in any way. Refer to our Privacy statement for full details.
These recommendations are a guide only. If you have symptoms, see your doctor. It is not uncommon to have an STI and have no symptoms.
If one of your sexual partners has told you they have an STI, tell your doctor.
If you have been tested for STIs recently, you may not need to be tested again.
These recommendations vary based on whether you identify as female (cisgender), male (cisgender), trans or gender diverse or non-binary.
Sexual practices, genders and bodies are unique. It is important to find a health professional who you trust and let them know about your sexual partners and practices so they can provide you with the best sexual health care.
We recommend you have a routine STI test at least once a year.
We also recommend STI testing every three months if you have new or casual sexual partner/s or your sexual partner has other partners.
Discuss the following tests with your doctor:
Find out where you can be tested
Having sex without condoms or dams increases your chance of getting sexually transmissible infections. We recommend testing for STIs even if condoms or dams are used.
Stay STI free by always using a condom or dam during sexual contact.
See your doctor if you think you might have genital herpes.
Genital herpes is usually diagnosed using a swab from a herpes sore. In general, we don’t recommend blood tests for herpes except under certain circumstances. Blood tests don’t always tell you whether you have genital herpes.
See your doctor if you think you might have genital warts.
There is no specific test for genital warts. They are diagnosed by a doctor from the appearance of a wart. This is why tests for warts have not been recommended as part of your sexual health check-up.
A vaccine is available which can prevent infection with the four human papillomavirus (HPV) types (6, 11, 16 and 18) which cause most genital warts and genital cancers. Speak to your doctor about vaccination options.
If you are fully vaccinated or already immune to both hepatitis A and hepatitis B, then you do not need to be vaccinated again.
If you’re having sex with men (or other partners with a penis), you have a higher chance of getting infected with hepatitis A and hepatitis B and should be fully vaccinated against both these types of hepatitis.
If you are not sure whether you are fully protected against both types of hepatitis, ask your doctor for a blood test and discuss vaccination options.
If you have injected drugs not prescribed to you by a doctor, you should consider being tested for hepatitis C.
Gonorrhoea: As well as first-void urine testing, an anal swab* and throat swab for gonorrhoea is recommended in patients with a penis who have sexual partners with a penis because gonorrhoea at these sites is usually asymptomatic.
Chlamydia: Over 90% of urethral chlamydial infections are asymptomatic. We recommend testing of first-pass urine, pharyngeal and anal swabs* using nucleic acid tests.
Herpes simplex virus: False positive and false negative serology results occur, so serological screening of asymptomatic people for HSV is not recommended. Serology may, however, be useful in selected cases.
*Anal swabs should be collected by inserting the swab 1cm into the anal canal. These can be collected by patients themselves.
For more information call Melbourne Sexual Health Centre on (03) 9341 6200.
For information about STI testing and management guidelines for common STIs, visit Melbourne Sexual Health Centre: Health Professional.
Sexual health clinics, GP clinics and community health centres perform STI testing.
Visit one of our partner health services, or find a service in your local area.
We recommend you check your spam or junk folder if you don't receive the email in a few minutes. Note that your email address is not stored in any way. Refer to our Privacy statement for full details.
These recommendations are a guide only. If you have symptoms, see your doctor. It is not uncommon to have an STI and have no symptoms.
If one of your sexual partners has told you they have an STI, tell your doctor.
If you have been tested for STIs recently, you may not need to be tested again.
These recommendations vary based on whether you identify as female (cisgender), male (cisgender), trans or gender diverse or non-binary.
Sexual practices, genders and bodies are unique. It is important to find a health professional who you trust and let them know about your sexual partners and practices so they can provide you with the best sexual health care.
We recommend you have a routine STI test at least once a year.
We also recommend STI testing every three months if you have new or casual sexual partner/s or your sexual partner has other partners.
Discuss the following tests with your doctor:
Find out where you can be tested
If you’re 25 years of age or older, have a cervix and have been sexually active, you should have regular screening tests for cervical cancer.
Screening tests are recommended every five years from age 25.
See your doctor about cervical cancer screening.
If you have a vagina and womb and want to avoid pregnancy, speak to your doctor for contraceptive advice.
Find out more about different options for preventing pregnancy at Family Planning Victoria and 1800 My Options.
Having sex without condoms or dams increases your chance of getting sexually transmissible infections. We recommend testing for STIs even if condoms or dams are used.
Stay STI free by always using a condom or dam during sexual contact.
See your doctor if you think you might have genital herpes.
Genital herpes is usually diagnosed using a swab from a herpes sore. In general, we don’t recommend blood tests for herpes except under certain circumstances. Blood tests don’t always tell you whether you have genital herpes.
See your doctor if you think you might have genital warts.
There is no specific test for genital warts. They are diagnosed by a doctor from the appearance of a wart. This is why tests for warts have not been recommended as part of your sexual health check-up.
A vaccine is available which can prevent infection with the four human papillomavirus (HPV) types (6, 11, 16 and 18) which cause most genital warts and genital cancers. Speak to your doctor about vaccination options.
Vaccination is the best protection against hepatitis B and is recommended for everyone. If you are fully vaccinated or already immune to hepatitis B, then you don’t need to be vaccinated again.
For more information, speak to your doctor.
If you have injected drugs not prescribed to you by a doctor, you should consider being tested for hepatitis C.
Gonorrhoea and chlamydia: Nucleic acid amplification tests can be performed on first-void urine, patient self-collected vaginal swabs, or endocervical swabs. The sensitivities of testing using these different methods of specimen collection are comparable. Gonorrhoea is increasing in incidence in women (and other people with vaginas) in urban Australia, and is common among indigenous women (and other people with vaginas) living in remote communities. False positive results are common with nucleic acid tests when used in populations with a low prevalence of infection.
Herpes simplex virus: False positive and false negative serology results occur, so serological screening of asymptomatic people for HSV is not recommended. Serology may, however, be useful in selected cases.
For more information call Melbourne Sexual Health Centre on (03) 9341 6200.
For information about STI testing and management guidelines for common STIs, visit Melbourne Sexual Health Centre: Health Professional.
Sexual health clinics, GP clinics and community health centres perform STI testing.
Visit one of our partner health services, or find a service in your local area.
We recommend you check your spam or junk folder if you don't receive the email in a few minutes. Note that your email address is not stored in any way. Refer to our Privacy statement for full details.
