Let’s talk about STIs: Are people getting tested anymore?

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When was the last time you got tested for an STI? Have you ever been tested? According to research from the Australian Survey of Health and Relationships, only 16 per cent of Australians aged between 16 and 49 have been tested for a sexually transmitted infection. By any metric, that’s a fairly low hit rate.

Over the past three decades, STI rates have been slowly but surely increasing in Australians. There was a sharp spike between 2015 and 2019, and another rise from 2021 to 2024, with chlamydia continuing to be the most common STI, followed by gonorrhoea and syphilis.

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In positive news, there has been a decline in detected cases over the past year, though Victoria and New South Wales have each had over 20,000 reported cases in 2026 alone (and we’re only in August).

According to sex, relationship and trauma therapist Christine Rafe, there’s been a shift in how her clients are prioritising safe sex. “On the one hand, it’s great that STIs are being destigmatised and our sex education is less about fear-mongering, but we still need people to be proactive about safe sex and regular testing,” she says.

While there have been many medical, lifesaving advancements relating to STIs and HIV treatments, becoming too lax when it comes to safe sex can leave you vulnerable.

“Shifting beliefs around sex, and a focus on conversations surrounding consent, pleasure, exploration and identity may also contribute to a changing environment when it comes to STIs. In my view, this is fantastic and long overdue, however, without the fear and focus, it makes sense that STIs are less at the forefront of people’s minds when engaging in sex with others,” she notes.

In Christine’s view, attitudes to safe sex and testing vary among different groups. “What we’ve seen is that gay and bisexual men have built a culture of regular testing and more open conversations about sexual health status. This developed largely out of historical necessity, but the result is a community that has normalised STI testing, disclosure and treatment.”

“Heterosexual Aussies on the whole tend to be more lax with STI testing, and in the clinic I notice more people struggling with conversations around STI testing and disclosure.”

STIs versus STDs

On paper, the difference between the two is that ‘STI’ refers to a sexually transmitted infection, while STD means a sexually transmitted disease. Infections are typically (but not always) the first point before something evolves into a disease, and STIs don’t usually cause any symptoms. In the instance that an STI doesn’t go away on its own and develops symptoms, it becomes an STD.

However, most STIs don’t develop into diseases, and most people don’t even know they have them. And while the term STD has been around longer, it also comes with a lot of prior stigma. Now, STI is widely the preferred term.

Who should get tested for a STI

If you’re having casual sex, you should be getting tested regularly – around every three to six months, Christine advises. However, even if you’re not, it’s still worth booking an appointment. STIs can stay in your body for months to decades, so even if you’re in a monogamous relationship, it’s better to be in the clear.

“STIs can be asymptomatic to one person, but cause major issues for another, so you may be introducing something into the relationship that you had no idea you had,” Christine adds. “It’s also important to keep yourself up to date with sexual health screenings because you can’t know with complete certainty the sexual behaviours of people you are having sex with.”

If untreated, STIs can evolved into serious and ongoing health concerns, like contracting HIV, infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease and cancers.

What’s involved in an STI test

If the mere thought of an STI test feels intimidating, knowing what to expect can make the process a lot less scary.

A standard test typically includes a urine sample and genital swab to check for chlamydia and gonorrhea, plus a blood test to check for HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis B and C. “A lot of clinics offer STI screening fully bulk-billed, so there’s no cost to you,” Christine adds.

However, if you’re getting a blood test, you’ll need to specially ask for it to be included. Similarly, HPV screening isn’t included in standard sexual health checks, and instead done during a pap smear (unless you request it).

If visiting your GP or specialist makes you uncomfortable, you can opt for an at-home kit. Brands like Sistr offer free alternatives for Medicare holders that you can order online, or select pharmacies also sell STI test kits. If your results come back positive, you’ll still need to speak to a GP for treatment advice.

Sexually transmitted infections can come with emotional baggage and stigmas, but as Christine says, regular health screenings are ultimately an act of self-care. “It is nothing to be ashamed or afraid of, and is a normal part of maintaining your overall health.”

Find your nearest sexual health clinic here.