Getting regular sexually transmissible infection (STI) testing is an important way that young people can look out for their health and is a normal part of a healthy sex life. Navigating where to go, what’s involved in getting an STI test and what it might cost can be tricky – especially if it is the first time a young person is getting tested. In this article we delve into all things STI testing so you can be ready to answer any questions young people you’re working with might have. What you need to know about STI testing 1. What is an STI test like? It’s normal for a young person to feel nervous about getting an STI test (also known as a sexual health check), but the good news is that it’s a straightforward process, and often free at bulk billing GPs. It’s also confidential (more on that below) which should help make them feel more comfortable about getting tested. As for the actual process, STI tests are quick and easy, usually requiring a blood test and either a self-collected swab, or a urine sample. The important thing is to let them know not to worry – their doctor will talk them through the process. 2. How often should someone get tested? This depends on a person’s specific needs and levels of risk. Generally, STI testing for young people is recommended every 6-12 months. However, testing more often might be needed depending on the kind of sex a young person has, their sexual health history, what medication they take (for example PrEP) and a range of other things. Testing may also be needed more regularly if a young person has had condomless sex, if they are experiencing any symptoms (not all STIs have symptoms though), if they have a new sexual partner, or if they are man who has sex with men. 3. Where to get an STI test? STI testing is widely accessible across NSW through various services. Young people can find their local STI testing location by visiting the Play Safe website as well as the healthdirect website. These services include: GPs: GPs can diagnose, treat, and provide information about STIs (as well as general health concerns), however some young people might be nervous about heading to a GP as they might be worried their family may find out, or may not even have a regular GP. Rest assured, GPs must keep health information confidential, unless a concern about duty of care or risk of harm comes into play. Sexual health clinics: These are confidential and free clinics run by NSW Health, mainly for people at higher risk of STIs and HIV. To find out about your local sexual health clinic, you can contact the NSW Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 (Monday – Friday). The Sexual Health Infolink can also find the most suitable service for your young person. Alternatively, Play Safe and healthdirect also outline a range of services available for young people. Youth centres: Some youth centres offer free STI testing for people under 25. Check out the headspace website for locations. Peer based models: Specialised services like aTEST and Check OUT clinic offer STI testing that is peer led. These services are run for the LGBTIQA+ community, by members of the community and are primarily run in the Sydney metropolitan region. Aboriginal Medical Services (AMSs): These locations provide culturally safe healthcare, including sexual health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. AMSs’ are bulk billed meaning there is no cost to see a health professional at these services. Family planning services: Family Planning NSW offers reproductive and sexual health services, including STI testing for young people. Some of their clinics like Penrith and Newcastle offer youth drop-in services on particular days of the week meaning no appointment is needed. To find out more, head to the Family Planning NSW website. Telehealth and online services: Telehealth services usually involve having an online video conversation with a doctor instead of visiting a doctor in person. Telehealth and online services can be great first steps and a great option for sexual health check ups, however, may not be suitable if a young person is experiencing any symptoms. If the doctor thinks that you should be tested for STIs, they will email or text you a pathology referral. You can then visit the relevant pathology provider/service to get the tests you need. If you have a Medicare card, the tests may be free but you may still need to pay the doctor for the appointment. There are many telehealth/online options so it’s a good idea to compare prices and choose a service with Australian registered doctors. Want to know more? You can read and share Play Safe’s most recent article on how to choose the right STI testing service. 4. How much does an STI test cost? If a young person has a Medicare card, they can get an STI test at a bulk-billing GP practice at no cost. If a young person gets an STI test at a non-bulk billing or part-bulk billing GP practice, the pathology (urine, swab and blood tests) will be free, but there may be a cost to see the doctor to get the test. There are a number of other testing locations that young people can go to. It is best to call each service to find out what their costs are. 5. Are STI tests confidential? STI tests and a person’s results are always confidential, so there’s no need for young people to worry about anyone finding out. If they’re over 14 years old, their entire Medicare records are kept confidential – even from their parents. You can share Play Safe’s information on confidentiality with young people to help put their mind at ease. 6. How long do STI test results take in Australia? STI test results are often very quick (within one week) and can even arrive via text message. When a young person gets their STI test, their doctor should let them know how and when they will get their results. If you’re supporting a young person to book their appointment, or to get there, remind them to ask their doctor when and how they’ll get their results. Dispelling common myths about STI testing There are so many myths around testing, and as someone who works with young people, it’s important to be prepared to debunk them. Myth 1: Only people who have multiple sexual partners or engage in risky behaviors need STI testing Anyone who is sexually active could be at risk of an STI and should have a regular STI test. STIs can be passed on through any type of sexual activity, including oral and anal sex. Myth 2: A person will always have noticeable symptoms if they have an STI This is a common one! Many STIs can be asymptomatic, meaning a person may not have any noticeable symptoms or know that they have an STI. Regular STI testing is important because it not only helps detect infections early, but also allows for prompt treatment and prevention of ongoing complications. Myth 3: STI testing painful and invasive STI testing is typically quick, easy, and straightforward. Depending on the type of test, it may involve providing a urine sample or a swab of the genital area (usually self-collected) as well as a blood test. Healthcare professionals will always make sure that the testing process is as comfortable and discreet as possible. They’ll ask for consent before starting any type of test and talk their patient through the process. Myth 4: STI testing is only necessary before having sex with a new partner Regular STI testing is important for maintaining sexual health, regardless of relationship status or sexual activity. It’s recommended for young people to get tested regularly (typically every 6-12 months), and more often if they have multiple sexual partners, engage in regular condomless sex, are experiencing any symptoms (not all STIs have symptoms though), or are a man who has sex with men. Myth 5: Condoms provide complete protection against STIs Condoms are highly effective in reducing the risk of getting an STI, but they don’t provide complete protection. Some STIs, such as genital herpes, can be passed on through skin-to-skin contact and a condom doesn’t cover all parts of skin around the genitals. While condoms offer great protection, getting regular sexual health checks is important. Help them get their regular STI test booked in So, there you have it – everything you need to know to help put young people’s minds at ease when it comes to STI testing. The main thing to remember is to let them know that getting tested is normal, confidential, straightforward and often free. You can support them to use the STI clinic locator or call NSW Sexual Health Infolink for more information or to get their regular STI test booked in. Our Youth Worker factsheet summarises this article in an easy to read resource. Check it out! If young people themselves want to know more about how they can prepare for their first sexual health check, you can point them in the direction of our Getting ready for your first sexual health check factsheet.
Did you see the latest from Sydney’s Kirby Institute? Australia is seeing its highest number of syphilis cases in a decade. If you’re working with young people and they have questions or concerns about this, a little bit of knowledge can really make a difference in reassuring them. Now, you don’t have to be an expert, but it’s always good to be prepared. This article will help you get ready for any questions that might come your way. We’ll cover the basics of syphilis, including how it’s transmitted, its symptoms, and the available treatments. Plus, we’ll discuss how to create a safe and supportive environment for the young people you’re working with. Six strategies for talking to young people about syphilis 1. Understand what syphilis is What is syphilis? Syphilis is an STI caused by the bacteria Treponema Pallidum. The good news is, it’s treatable with antibiotics and injections. However, if left untreated, it can lead to some serious and sometimes life threatening health issues. Some of the common symptoms of Syphilis include: Painless ulcers around the mouth, genitals, or anus A red rash on the body, especially on the palms and soles Syphilis transmission happens through skin-to-skin contact during oral, vaginal, or anal sex, particularly when there are symptoms like ulcers or rashes. Even though syphilis symptoms may go away on their own, the infection will stay in the body until a person has treatment. Treatment is the key to saying goodbye to syphilis for good. 2. Let them know syphilis is 100% curable One question you’re likely to be asked by a young person is ‘can syphilis be cured?’ or ‘is syphilis treatable?’. As we’ve mentioned already, the good news is that syphilis is 100% curable through a course of antibiotics and injections. Of course, before treatment, it has to be diagnosed. Diagnosis happens via a blood test or the swab of an ulcer, usually by a doctor or sexual health nurse. After treatment, follow-up testing is completed to make sure the infection has cleared. When chatting with young people it’s important not to alarm them about syphilis or any STI. Instead, encourage young people to have a regular STI test with their GP or healthcare provider. It’s an important step you can take to normalise sexual health and foster healthy decision making among the people you work with. For information on where a young person can get a sexual health check at or for other questions about STIs and syphilis, call the NSW Sexual Health Infolink (SHIL) to speak to a sexual health nurse. 3. Create a safe space Talking about sexual health can be daunting for both professionals and young people. As professionals, it’s important to do everything possible to make them feel comfortable to open up and talk about what’s on their mind. Let them know they’re in a safe space where there’s no judgement and no silly questions. Keep your answers simple and clear, avoiding unnecessary jargon. And remember, validation of feelings and concerns can go a long way in building trust. If you’re asked questions you don’t know the answer to, that’s not a problem! You can explore the Play Safe website to find your answer, or call the the NSW Sexual Health Infolink (SHIL) to speak to a sexual health nurse. 4. Use it as a chance to speak about sexual health in general The best way to protect against syphilis is to use condoms and to get regular STI tests. When chatting with young people, speak about sexual health in general and how condoms and regular testing are the cornerstones to staying safe and enjoying sex with all of the fun and none of the worry. A good resource for them would be the 30-second ‘Could I have an STI?’ quiz on the Play Safe website, which will let them know in no time if they need an STI test or not. Don’t forget to give free condoms to anyone who needs them too. You can order a bag of 144 Play Safe branded condoms and lubricant to your service for free every month using Play Safe Pro’s condom ordering tool. 5. Use interactive tools to encourage conversations in a group setting Interactive games can be a fantastic way to break the ice and open up conversations around sexual health with less pressure than a straightforward conversation. Why not try the Handshake Game? This easy-to-follow game visually demonstrates the transmission of infections such as syphilis and the benefits of safe sex. It only takes around 10 minutes and is suitable for up to 30 people. Everyone who takes part will be introduced to sexual health concepts relating to safer sex, STIs, and sexual health testing and treatment — without an awkward moment in sight. 6. Always refer to a healthcare professional While it’s important to be able to open up conversations with young people about syphilis and sexual health, it’s always important to know the scope and limitations of your role and to direct them to a GP or their healthcare provider for personalised information, testing, and treatment. If they’re unsure where to go, they can give NSW Sexual Health Infolink a call, or they can use the online ‘Where can I get tested?’ tool on the homepage of the Play Safe website. Helpful external resources If you want to learn more about syphilis to guide your discussions with young people, or someone in your service wants to know more, check out the links below. Play Safe website NSW Health Fact Sheet Health Direct website
