Cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have surged across Australia, with the latest report from the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney revealing alarming trends in syphilis and gonorrhoea diagnoses. Over the past decade, diagnoses of syphilis have doubled, reaching 5,866 cases in 2024. Similarly, gonorrhoea diagnoses also doubled, totaling 44,210 cases. The report suggests that even more infections may remain undetected.
The Kirby Institute’s survey highlights a concerning situation, declaring that Australia is currently experiencing a syphilis “epidemic.” The rise in STIs is particularly pronounced among younger populations, with approximately half of the 101,742 chlamydia diagnoses reported in 2024 occurring in individuals aged 20 to 29 years. This data is troubling, especially given that only 16 percent of Australians aged 16 to 49 have ever undergone testing for STIs. Furthermore, only half of the surveyed individuals have discussed sexual health with their healthcare providers.
Dr. Skye McGregor, an epidemiologist at the Kirby Institute, emphasized the importance of early intervention. “Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis are easily treated and cured with antibiotics,” she stated. “Early testing, diagnosis, and treatment can prevent serious health outcomes.” She also noted that while HIV is not curable, effective treatment can significantly improve health outcomes and reduce the risk of transmission.
If left untreated, STIs can lead to severe health complications. Dr. McGregor warned that untreated infections can result in long-term issues such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in women. Additionally, pregnant individuals can transmit infections to their babies, leading to serious health consequences. The Kirby Institute reported that there have been 34 infant deaths attributed to congenital syphilis in the past decade, with more than half of those deaths occurring among First Nations Australians.
The survey highlights significant disparities in STI rates among Indigenous populations. First Nations Australians are diagnosed with chlamydia at more than twice the rate of non-Indigenous individuals. For gonorrhoea, the diagnosis rate is nearly four times higher, while for syphilis, it is more than five times higher. Robert Monaghan, a Bundjalung-Gumaynggir man and Manager of the Yandamanjang First Nations Health Research Program at the Kirby Institute, called for immediate action. “What’s needed now is real investment in culturally safe, community-driven health promotion, testing, and treatment,” he said.
To combat the rise of STIs, Dr. McGregor recommends that sexually active Australians engage in discussions about sexual health with their partners, practice safe sex, and undergo regular STI testing. “Condoms can significantly reduce the risk of transmission of most STIs, and this should be paired with other preventive measures,” she advised. For gay and bisexual men, a preventive approach called doxy PEP, which involves taking the antibiotic doxycycline within 72 hours of unprotected sex, is also available to help reduce the risk of bacterial STIs, particularly syphilis and chlamydia.
While some STIs are on the rise, the survey also indicates a decline in HIV diagnoses, which fell by 27 percent over the past decade, with 757 new cases reported last year. This decline offers a glimmer of hope amidst the troubling increase in other STIs.
As Australia grapples with these rising infection rates, the Kirby Institute’s findings underline the urgent need for increased awareness, testing, and treatment options across the population, particularly among vulnerable groups.
