Getting an STI test used to mean booking a GP appointment, sitting in a waiting room, having an uncomfortable conversation, and then waiting to return for results. For most Australians — particularly those who are young, busy, or simply private — that process has always been a barrier. Most people avoid it entirely, even when they know they should get tested.

Today, that barrier is gone. Online STI testing services like STI Clinic Australia allow you to complete the entire process — from initial form to results in your inbox — without ever setting foot in a clinic.

What does online STI testing actually involve?

Online STI testing in Australia doesn't replace pathology labs — it removes everything frustrating about getting to one. Here is exactly how the process works:

  • Complete a short online form — answer six confidential questions about your health history and testing preferences. Takes about five minutes.
  • Pay the referral fee — $38.95 AUD at STI Clinic Australia. One-time, no subscriptions.
  • Receive your referral by email — within 60 seconds of payment, a pathology referral PDF issued by an AHPRA-registered doctor lands in your inbox.
  • Visit any pathology lab — take your referral (on your phone or printed) to any of 10,000+ collection centres across Australia. The lab testing itself is bulk-billed via Medicare — no additional cost.
  • Get results securely — results arrive by email and SMS within 3–5 business days.

What does the panel include?

A single referral through STI Clinic Australia covers a comprehensive six-in-one sexual health panel: Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B and C. Everything in one visit, one sample, one result notification.

Is it private?

Yes — completely. Your GP is never notified of your test or your results. There is no shared Medicare health record entry visible to other healthcare providers. Results go directly and only to the email and phone number you provide.

How much does it cost?

The online referral costs $38.95 AUD — that covers the questionnaire, the doctor-issued referral, and your results notification. The lab testing at your chosen pathology centre is bulk-billed via Medicare, meaning the sample collection itself is free for eligible patients.

STI Clinic Australia is currently 22% cheaper than the leading competitor, Stigma.health, which charges $49.99 for the equivalent service.

What happens if a result is positive?

If any result comes back positive, a member of the STI Clinic Australia medical team will reach out personally to arrange a free telehealth consultation. They will walk you through your results, explain treatment options, and support you through the next steps — at no extra charge.

Who should get tested?

The short answer: anyone who is or has been sexually active. The Kirby Institute's 2025 annual surveillance report found that only 16% of Australians aged 16–49 have ever been tested for STIs. That means 84% of sexually active Australians are going untested — despite the fact that most STIs show no symptoms at all.

Regular testing is particularly recommended for people who have had a new partner in the past 12 months, have multiple partners, or have not been tested before. There is no threshold of "risk" required — testing is simply good health practice.