Our Services
Online STI & STD Testing, Bulk Billed with Medicare
Your sexual health is personal. Get confidential STI testing referrals from AHPRA-registered Australian doctors, without an awkward face-to-face conversation. Bulk-billed for eligible Medicare card holders.
Bulk-Billed Consultations and Testing with Medicare
Private Fee - for non-Medicare patients
3 Easy Steps
Book a Consult
Have Testing
Get Results
Bulk-Billed STI Testing – Australia-Wide
Medically reviewed by Dr Vafa Derakshan, MBBS, FRACGP · AHPRA MED0001663310 · Last reviewed: 23 September 2026
Speak to an Australian doctor by phone or video and get a pathology request for any collection centre near you. No gap for eligible Medicare card holders.
STI or STD: what's the difference?
None, for testing purposes. STI (sexually transmitted infection) and STD (sexually transmitted disease) describe the same infections. Australian doctors usually say STI, because many infections cause no symptoms or disease. Whichever term you search for, the test is the same: an online consult, then a urine test, swab or blood test at your local lab.
Why test with STI Doctor
- Bulk-billed consult and standard tests — for eligible Medicare card holders. A private fee applies if you don't have Medicare.
- A doctor, not a form — you speak with an AHPRA-registered GP who works out which tests you actually need.
- Any lab, anywhere — your electronic request works at major collection centres across Australia, including Douglas Hanly Moir, Laverty, Sonic, QML, Clinpath and Australian Clinical Labs.
- Results and treatment in one place — we text you when results are in, explain them at a follow-up consult, and treat or refer you if needed.
How online STI testing works
- Book online — same-day appointments are usually available during opening hours.
- Talk to your doctor — a short, private phone or video consult about your symptoms, sexual history and risks.
- Get your pathology request — sent to your phone straight after the consult.
- Visit a collection centre — most tests are a urine sample, a self-collected swab and/or a blood test.
- Get your results — usually within 2–7 days depending on the test. We'll text you, discuss them with you and arrange treatment if needed.
What a standard STI check includes
Your doctor tailors tests to you, but a routine check commonly includes:
- Chlamydia and gonorrhoea — urine sample or self-collected swab (throat and anal swabs if relevant).
- Syphilis and HIV — blood test.
- Hepatitis B — blood test, which also checks whether you're immune.
- Hepatitis C — blood test, when you have risk factors.
Throat or anal swabs may be recommended depending on the kind of sex you've had — one reason a doctor consult gives a more accurate check than a one-size-fits-all test kit.
When should I test after unprotected sex?
Tests need time to pick up an infection (the "window period"). As a general guide:
- Chlamydia and gonorrhoea — about 2 weeks after exposure.
- HIV and syphilis — from about 6 weeks, with a repeat test at 12 weeks if the first is negative.
- Hepatitis B and C — can take up to 12 weeks or longer.
If you have symptoms, don't wait — book now. If the exposure was in the last 72 hours and HIV is a risk, you may need PEP urgently. Read more in How Long After Unprotected Sex Can You Test for an STI?
How often should I get tested?
- At least once a year if you're sexually active and under 30, or have had a new partner.
- Every 3 months if you have multiple or casual partners, are a man who has sex with men, or take PrEP.
- Any time you have symptoms, a partner tells you they have an STI, or a condom breaks with a new partner.
Many STIs have no symptoms, so regular testing is the only reliable way to know. Rising syphilis and gonorrhoea rates in Australia make this more important than ever — read why.
Is online STI testing bulk billed? Cost and privacy
For eligible Medicare card holders, the consultation is bulk-billed and standard STI pathology tests are covered by Medicare, so there's usually no out-of-pocket cost. A private fee applies without Medicare.
Your consultation and results are confidential and handled under Australian privacy law. We don't contact your regular GP unless you ask us to. Positive results for some infections are notifiable to state health departments by law — this is confidential and used only for public health. You can ask the pathology lab not to upload results to My Health Record.
When you should be seen in person
Go to an emergency department or call 000 for severe abdominal or pelvic pain, fever with genital symptoms, or if you feel very unwell. If you have sores, lumps or discharge that need examining, your doctor may refer you to a GP or sexual health clinic.
Sources: ASHM Australian STI Management Guidelines; Healthdirect; Kirby Institute national surveillance reports.
Latest Sexual Health Insights
Stay informed with our recent articles on STI prevention, testing tips, myths busted, and more – empowering you to take control of your health.
Letting partners know
If your results show an STI that can be passed on, your recent sexual partners may need testing and treatment too. Letting them know protects their health and helps stop the infection being passed back to you.
How your doctor can help
- When your results come back, your doctor will talk with you about which partners to let know and how far back to go. This depends on the infection.
- You can tell partners yourself, and your doctor can help you work out what to say.
- If you’d rather not tell someone directly, you can send an anonymous text or email through Let Them Know.
- If you need more help, your doctor can refer you to a public sexual health clinic, where staff can support you with contact tracing.
Your privacy
We never contact your partners or share your details with them without your consent. Positive results for some STIs must be reported to your state or territory health department by law. This is confidential and used only for public health.
Support that suits you
- We’ll talk about partner notification in a way that respects your culture, language and relationships.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients can also get support from their local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service, and find resources at Young Deadly Free.
- If you don’t feel safe telling a partner, let your doctor know. You won’t be asked to do anything that puts you at risk.
Bulk Billed STI Testing & Treatment FAQs
How does online STI testing work with STI Doctor?
STI Doctor offers fully telehealth-based STI consultations and testing across Australia. Book a quick video or phone consult with an Australian doctor (usually the same day), discuss your concerns, and receive an instant electronic pathology referral for testing at any nearby collection centre (e.g., blood, urine, or self-swab). No in-person clinic visit needed for most cases—results come back securely, with follow-up if required.
Is STI testing bulk billed with Medicare?
Yes—consultations are bulk-billed (no out-of-pocket cost) with a valid Medicare card. Standard STI pathology tests (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV) are typically covered by Medicare at collection centres, meaning $0 gap for eligible patients. Prescriptions for treatment are eScripts sent to your pharmacy (PBS-covered meds often low-cost).
Can I get tested for STIs online without symptoms?
Absolutely—many STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhoea can show no symptoms, so regular screening is key even if you feel fine. Our doctors assess your risk during the consult and recommend appropriate tests (urine, blood, swabs) based on guidelines—perfect for routine checks after new partners or unprotected sex.
Do I need to visit a clinic or doctor in person for STI testing?
No—the entire process is online via telehealth. After your consult, we send a pathology referral you take to any convenient collection centre (widespread nationwide, including regional areas). Samples are simple (no invasive exams usually needed), and we handle results notification and treatment planning discreetly.
How long does it take to get STI test results online?
Results typically arrive in 2-7 days (depending on tests and lab). We’ll contact you securely via message or follow-up consult to explain them. If positive, treatment (e.g., antibiotics) can start immediately via eScript—no extra fees for the follow-up.
What STIs can I test for and treat through STI Doctor?
We cover common tests including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B/C, and others based on your history. Treatment is available for common bacterial and viral STIs (e.g., chlamydia/Herpes). For more complex treatments, such as syphilis or HIV, we can advise or refer if needed.
How private and confidential is online STI testing with STI Doctor?
Fully private—we comply with Australian privacy laws and telehealth standards. No information is shared without consent (not even with your regular GP unless you request). Secure video/phone consults, encrypted results, and discreet notifications make it ideal if you want to avoid embarrassment or local clinics. Some labs may upload your results to My Health Records, which you can prevent by requesting the lab directly.
Who should use online bulk-billed STI testing?
Anyone sexually active or concerned about having an STI, those with multiple partners, in non-monogamous relationships, MSM, or after unprotected sex/new partners. It’s great for rural/regional Australians, busy people, or those preferring privacy—no referral needed, just Medicare.
Can I get STI treatment online if I test positive?
Yes—our doctors provide bulk-billed follow-up, explain results, and prescribe treatment (e.g., antibiotics for chlamydia or antivirals for herpes) via eScript. We also guide partner notification/contact tracing discreetly. Some conditions may require specialised treatment, which you may need to be referred to, which our doctors will inform you if required. For presumptive treatment (e.g., partner positive), we can often treat without waiting for your results.
How often should I get tested for STIs?
Guidelines recommend at least annually if sexually active, or every 3-6 months if higher risk (multiple partners, casual encounters). Our doctors tailor advice to your situation during the consult—regular testing is the best way to stay healthy and catch issues early.
Is telehealth STI testing suitable if I have symptoms?
For mild symptoms, yes—we start online and can prescribe treatment or refer for in-person if needed. If urgent, seek immediate care, but telehealth is a fast first step for most.
Can I book an STI consult online right now?
Yes—click “Book Now” on our site, answer a few quick questions, select a time, and join via secure link (no app required). Doctors available nationwide, usually the same day!