Getting an STI Test in Australia: Where to Go and What They Actually Do

Nobody's ever been excited about booking an STI test. But it's a lot quicker and less awkward than you've probably imagined, and many STIs have no symptoms at all, so you can't rely on knowing if you've got one. If you're having sex, testing is just part of looking after yourself, the same as the dentist, only nobody tells you off about flossing.

Here's how getting an STI test works in Australia.

Where can I get tested?

• A GP. Any GP can do it. You don't have to explain yourself, and you can simply say "I'd like a full STI check, please." If you'd rather not see your regular doctor, see a different one.
• A public sexual health clinic. Every state and territory has them. They're staffed by people who do this all day, and nothing shocks them.
• An Aboriginal Medical Service, family planning service or some community health centres.
• Online services. Some let you order a pathology request without visiting a clinic. If you've got symptoms, though, see someone in person.

How much does it cost?

With a Medicare card, a test at a bulk-billing GP or sexual health clinic is usually free. If your GP doesn't bulk-bill, the pathology may still be covered, but you may pay for the consult. Ask when you book.

No Medicare card? Many public sexual health clinics will still see you for free, including people on temporary visas and international students. Rules vary between clinics and states, so check with your local one first. In some places, you'll be asked about your risk before you're given an appointment, because public clinics prioritise people who are most at risk.

What actually happens?

They'll ask some questions about your sex life, and you should answer them honestly. Who you've had sex with, what kind of sex, whether you used condoms and if you've got any symptoms. It isn't nosy, and they aren't judging you. Your answers tell them which tests you need, and which body parts to test.

Then it's usually some or all of these:

• A urine sample or a self-collected swab for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. You generally do the swab yourself, in private. It's like using a long cotton bud, and it takes seconds.
• Throat and anal swabs if you've had oral or anal sex, as infections there can be missed by a urine test.
• A blood test for HIV, syphilis and sometimes hepatitis.

That's it. Results are usually back within a week or so, and the clinic will tell you how they'll get them to you.

When should I get tested?

Get tested when:

• You've got a new partner, or more than one.
• You've had sex without a condom, or a condom's broken. Here's what to do if that happens.
• A partner's told you they've got an STI.
• You've got symptoms such as unusual discharge, pain when you pee, sores, lumps, rashes or bleeding that doesn't make sense.
• You and a partner want to stop using condoms.

How often depends on your situation, so ask. Anyone who's sexually active should be having regular checks, and people with new or multiple partners usually need them more often. Gay and bisexual men may be advised to test as often as every three months. Some infections take a while to show up on a test, so your clinic might ask you to come back later.

What if it's positive?

Take a breath. Most STIs are very common, and many are easily treated. Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis are treated with antibiotics. Herpes and HIV can be managed very well with medication, and people living with HIV who have an undetectable viral load don't pass it on through sex. A positive result is health information. It's not a judgement on who you are.

You'll also need to let recent partners know, so that they can get tested too. It's an awkward text to send, and your clinic can help. Some services will even send an anonymous notification for you, so ask about those.

Prevention

Condoms are still your best everyday protection, and one that fits is far less likely to break. Dental dams help with oral. HPV and hepatitis vaccines are worth asking about too, and PrEP is very effective at preventing HIV.

Talking about testing with a new partner doesn't have to kill the mood. "When did you last get tested? I went last month" is about the most grown-up piece of flirting there is.

This is general information, not medical advice. If you've got symptoms or you're worried, see a GP or sexual health clinic. Each state's health department lists its public clinics online.