Helpful Resources
We’re here to help you get tested for STIs conveniently and privately and you will find some information about symptoms of STIs, how you’re tested and how they’re treated on our What We Test For page or you can head over to our FAQ section for additional information. If you want information about testing ‘window periods’ this is located at the bottom of our Who Can & Should Get Tested page.
STIs are complicated though and we know that if you think there’s a chance you’ve contracted one it can be quite scary so we’ve prepared this list of helpful resources just in case you can’t find the information you’re looking for on our site.
Sexual Health Info Lines
There are sexual health info lines in operation across Australia that are manned by trained Sexual Health nurses. If you’re concerned you may have contracted an STI they will be able to guide you in dealing with the situation.
Phone them on: 1800 451 624
Head to their website for details on their opening hours, but rest assured the call is free.
Phone them on: 1800 032 017
Check out their website for details.
This is not a dedicated sexual health info line, but it is a health advice line for Queenslanders manned by a registered nurse.
Dial: 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
Phone them from the city: 08 9227 6178
Phone them from the country: 1800 198 205
Visit their website for details on opening times etc.
Phone them on: 1300 883 793 or toll free on 1800 188 171 for country callers only
Head here and scroll to the bottom for their hours
Again this one is not a dedicated sexual health info line, but it is a free service available to residents in NSW, the ACT, the Northern Territory, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia and it is also manned 24 hours a day.
Call Healthdirect Australia on: 1800 022 222
Or visit their website
General Information on STIs
There are loads of sites out there with information about STIs, but we believe these are some of the best ones. We hope you find what you’re looking for!
Find Out What The Government Health Department Has To Say
This website has great factsheets on all the most common STIs plus tips for prevention, testing and treatment.
Play It Safe
This is bought to you by the NSW Health Department, but it’s pretty damn useful regardless of where you are. There is loads of easy to digest information about STIs including a quiz for those who think they might have one + info on testing, treatments, Safe Sex and there’s even a Sex Talk section where fresh articles are regularly posted. And if you still can’t find what you’re looking for then there’s a great little service called Ask Nurse Nettie where you can submit your question and a qualified Nurse will get back to you within 24 hours (unless it’s the weekend).
Just Get The Facts
This site will provide you with clear, simple fact sheets for the most common STIs.
Tested Positive & Need Advice On How To Tell Your Partner?
There are services out there to help you make this difficult task a bit easier:
Let Them Know
Let Them Know will you allow to notify any past/present partners via SMS, Email or Letter either personally or anonymously and they have lots of useful advice about what to say.
The Drama Down Under
This is a great resource for gay men and amongst a lot of useful information for you gentlemen they also provide a similar service to Let Them Know that allows you to notify past partners via email or SMS either personally or anonymously.
Better To Know
This is a great site if you’re Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. It will provide you with relevant information about STIs and it also allows you to notify partners via SMS or Email and it can be done anonymously.
HIV Information & Support
There is plenty of support available for people who have been recently diagnosed or are living with HIV in Australia.
Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations
The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations has a comprehensive section about living with HIV, which is definitely worth reading.
HIV Support State By State
There is local support for people living with HIV across Australia and if you have been diagnosed they’re definitely worth reaching out too!
AIDS Action Council of the ACT:
Phone them on: (02) 6257 2855
People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) ACT
Phone them on: (02) 6257 4985
ACON
Phone them on: 1800 063 060 or
Sydney: (02) 9206 2000 or
Northern Rivers: (02) 6622 1555 or
Hunter: (02) 4962 7700 or
Coffs Harbour: 02 6651 6017 or
Port Macquarie: 02 6584 0943 or
Positive Life NSW
Phone them on: 1800 245 677 or 02 9206 2177
Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre
Phone them on: 1800 134 840 or (03) 9865 6700 or
Positive Living Centre: (03) 9863 0444 or
Free call: 1800 622 795
People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) Victoria
Phone them on: (03) 9863 8733
Queensland Association of Healthy Communities
Phone them on: 1800 177 434 or
Brisbane: (07) 3017 1777 or
Cairns: (07) 4041 5451
Queensland Positive People
Phone them on: 1800 636 241
or 07 3013 5555
Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis C Council
Phone them on:
Darwin: (08) 8944 7777
Alice Springs: (08) 8953 3172
AIDS Council of South Australia
Phone them on: 9322 4614
Positive Life SA
Phone them on: (08) 8293 3700
Tasmanian Council on AIDS, Hepatitis & Related Diseases
Phone them on: (03) 6234 1242
IMPORTANT: If you believe you may have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours do not proceed with a normal STI test, visit a doctor, hospital or specialty clinic ASAP so you can receive preventative post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).