If you’re having sex, testing for sexually transmissible infections (STIs) is just a normal part of sexual health. STIs often have no symptoms and the only way to know if you’re infected is with a test. Testing at least once a year helps you keep your health in check. Your sex life isn’t over just because you have a positive STI result. STIs are treatable and your healthcare provider can talk to you about how best to protect yourself and your partners going forward.
STI testing is easy and most services are free or low cost. All medical professionals are required by law to keep what you discuss private and this confidentiality can only be broken if there is serious concern for your or someone else’s safety.
For more information on what to expect during a sexual health check-up, click here.
Where to get tested
Finding a place to get tested for STIs is straightforward! Your local GP, sexual health clinic, or Family Planning clinic are all good places for a sexual health check-up.
While STI testing is usually best done in person, there is another option. Online testing allows you to go online, download and print a referral, skip the doctor’s office and go directly to a pathology centre for testing. Once the results are in, you are contacted by the service and referred for treatment if needed.
Some states have their own government supported services that provide chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing for free. Nationally, there are two private services that provide a range of tests at a cost.
One thing to keep in mind when deciding whether to test in person or online is that a sexual health check-up at your local clinic or GP provides you with the opportunity to discuss your health with someone who can answer any questions you might have, assess your risk, and decide the STI tests that are right for you.
Online testing isn’t for you if you have symptoms or have been told by a partner that they have an STI. In those instances, it is best to book in with your GP or a clinic.
Find a clinic or online testing service
Below is a list of services in Victoria. Click on the links below to find a clinic in your area and get it done.
Other Victoria health services and resources
Other national health services and resources
Metropolitan Victoria
| Suburb | Address |
| Box Hill | Sexual Health Victoria Box Hill 901 Whitehorse Road Box Hill VIC 3128 (03) 9257 0100 or 1800 013 952 www.shvic.org.au |
| Carlton | Melbourne Sexual Health Centre 580 Swanston Street Carlton VIC 3053 (03) 9341 6200 or 1800 032 017 www.mshc.org.au/ |
| Fitzroy | PRONTO! 175 Rose Street Fitzroy VIC 3065 (03) 9416 2889 www.pronto.org.au/ |
| Fitzroy North | Northside Clinic 370 St Georges Road Fitzroy North VIC 3068 (03) 9485 7700 www.northsideclinic.net.au/ |
| Melbourne CBD | ERA Health Level 9/460 Bourke Street Melbourne VIC 3000 (03) 9944 6200 www.erahealth.com.au/ |
| Melbourne CBD | Sexual Health Victoria Melbourne CBD Level 1, 94 Elizabeth St Melbourne VIC 3000 (03) 9654 4766 or 1800 013 952 www.shvic.org.au |
| Prahran | Prahran Market Clinic Prahran Central Shopping Centre Mezzanine Level, 325 Chapel Street Prahran VIC 3181 (03) 9514 0888 www.prahranmarketclinic.com/ |
| St. Kilda | The Centre Clinic Suite 3A 79-81 Fitzroy Street St Kilda VIC3182 (03) 9525 5866 www.vac.org.au/lgbti-health/centre-clinic |
Regional Victoria
| Suburb | Address |
| Ballarat | Ballarat Community Health Centre Sexual Health Clinic 12 Lilburne Street Lucas VIC 3350 (03) 5338 4500https://bchc.org.au/service/sexual-health-clinic/ |
| Belmont | Sexual Health Clinic , Kardinia Health 2-18 Colac Rd Belmont VIC 3216 (03) 5202 9333 www.kardiniahealth.com.au |
| Bendigo | Bendigo Sexual Health Clinic, Bendigo Community Health Services 165-171 Hargreaves Street Bendigo VIC 3550 (03) 5406 1200 www.bchs.com.au/sexual-health-clinic |
| Bendigo | Bendigo Primary Care Centre 123 Arnold St Bendigo VIC 3550 (03) 5441 8622 www.bendigoprimarycarecentre.com.au/ |
| Eaglehawk | Eaglehawk Sexual Health Clinic, Bendigo Community Health Services 3 Seymoure Street Eaglehawk VIC 3556 (03) 5406 1200 www.bchs.com.au/sexual-health-clinic |
| Wangaratta | Clinic 35-Wangaratta Gateway Health Sexual Health Clinic 45-47 Mackay Street Wangaratta VIC 3676 (03) 5723 2000 https://www.gatewayhealth.org.au/services/gp-clinics/sexual-and-reproductive-health-clinic-35/ |
| Wodonga | Clinic 35-Wodonga Gateway Health Sexual Health Clinic 155 High Street Wodonga VIC 3690 (02) 6022 8888 https://www.gatewayhealth.org.au/services/gp-clinics/sexual-and-reproductive-health-clinic-35/ |
Online Testing
| National | |
| SmartHealth
|
Age: 18+ years old Cost: $55-$95 What they test for: · Chlamydia · Gonorrhoea · Syphilis · Hepatitis B · Hepatitis C · HIV sti.smarthealth.me |
| Stigma Health | Age: 16 + years old Cost: $21.99 for a Personalised Pathology Test Referral What they test for: · Chlamydia · Gonorrhoea · Syphilis · Hepatitis A · Hepatitis B · Hepatitis C · HIV www.stigmahealth.com/ |
| Victoria | |
| TESTme | For residents of Victoria who reside 100 km or more from Melbourne Age: 25 or younger Cost: Free What they test for: · Chlamydia · Gonorrhoea www.testme.org.au |
Other Victoria health services and resources
| Name | Description |
| Jean Hailles | www.jeanhailes.org.au/
Jean Hailes is a women’s health organisation that believe in physical and emotional health and wellbeing for all women in Australia throughout their lives. |
| Victorian AIDS Council | www.vac.org.au/
VAC leads the fight against HIV/AIDS in Victoria by providing care and support for people living with HIV, health promotion, and advocacy. |
| Youthcentral | www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/
Victorian Government’s initiative for young people aged 12–25, offers information and advice on issues like jobs, study, travel, money and events in your local area. |
Other national health services and resources
| Service | Description |
| Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet | www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/
The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet makes comprehensive, up–to–date information accessible to people interested in the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians |
| all good | allgood.org.au/
The all good website includes information, resources and service directories on STIs and BBVs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It includes a ‘find a service tab’ to find a local doctor, clinic or a testing centre that provides STI and BBV testing. The website also includes links to local support services. |
| Better to Know | www.bettertoknow.org.au/
‘Better to Know’ is a website for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women. It provides detailed information on STIs and BBVs, and on getting tested– in two sections, Men’s Business and Women’s Business. It can send SMS reminders to have a sexual health check and can also be used to notify recent sex partners anonymously that they need to have a sexual health check. |
| Body Talk | www.bodytalk.org.au/
Info for young people about the body, puberty, relationships and sexual health including STIs and contraception. |
| Family Planning NSW Talkline
|
www.fpnsw.org.au/talkline
Talkline provides free and confidential information, advice and options across a wide range of reproductive and sexual health issues. 1300 658 886 |
| Health Direct | www.healthdirect.gov.au/
healthdirect provides easy access to trusted, quality health information and advice online and over the phone. |
| Marie Stopes Australia | www.mariestopes.org.au/
Marie Stopes provides safe and supportive reproductive health services such as contraception, abortion, vasectomy, STI checks and more. |
| QLife | www.qlife.org.au/
QLife national telephone and web counselling service for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people, families and friends. |
| Reachout | www.reachout.com/
ReachOut helps under 25s with everyday questions through to tough times. |
| Young Deadly Free | youngdeadlyfree.org.au/
Young Deadly Free is all about raising awareness of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood-borne viruses (BBVs) affecting young people in regional and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. They provide information and resources for young people; elders, parents and other adults; and doctors, nurses and other health workers. |
