Research released this week by the Kirby Institute shows rates of syphilis and gonorrhoea in young Australians have increased over the past decade.
The data also shows that First Nations Australians continue to be disproportionately diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Kirby Institute Epidemiologist Dr Skye McGregor told TDA they would like to see “higher testing and reducing that stigma around sexual health”.
Here’s what you need to know.
Background
Researchers at the Kirby Institute, part of UNSW, study infectious diseases including gonorrhoea and syphilis.
This week, it released data showing that, overall, rates of syphilis and gonorrhoea have increased by 78% each over 10 years.
This equates to around 6,000 syphilis cases and 42,000 gonorrhoea diagnoses, including 14 congenital syphilis cases, meaning the infection was passed on from mother to child.
Syphilis cases in Australians aged 25 to 29 have increased by 50% since 2016.
Syphilis
Syphilis can be transmitted through oral, vaginal and anal sex, pregnancy, and blood transfusions.
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It can be asymptomatic.
If left untreated, it can cause issues ranging from vision and hearing loss to death.
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea can also be transmitted through oral, vaginal and anal sex, as well as pregnancy.
It is often asymptomatic, especially in women, and can lead to infertility and pregnancy issues.
First Nations
First Nations Australians make up around 3.8% of the national population, however they are disproportionately represented in STI cases.
The data also showed First Nations people were diagnosed with HIV at 1.9 times the rate of non-Indigenous Australians, up from 1.6 times in 2016.
Syphilis cases detected in First Nations people rose from 21% in 2016 to 25% in 2025.
Gonorrhoea cases detected in First Nations people fell from 28% in 2016 to 21% in 2025.
