Testing and Treatment, Staying Ahead of STIs
New data from the Kirby Institute shows different trends in sexual health in Australia.
- Syphilis cases doubled in the last 10 years, with nearly 6,000 cases in 2024.
- Gonorrhoea more than doubled, with over 44,000 cases in 2024.
- Chlamydia is stable but still common, with more than 100,000 cases, mostly in people aged 20–29.
- HIV diagnoses are going down, with a 27% drop in the past decade. In 2024, there were 757 new cases.
This means while we are making progress against HIV, other STIs are increasing. Many STIs are easy to treat, but if they are not picked up early, they can cause serious health problems.
The best way to protect yourself and others is through regular testing, safer sex (like using condoms), and talking openly to your doctor or visiting a sexual health clinic in your local health district.
Learn more: kirby.unsw.edu.au/news/increases-syphilis-and-gonorrhoea-chlamydia-stable-and-hiv-decline
