Sexually transmissible infections (STI) testing (PI25)
This indicator is the proportion of First Nations regular clients aged 15–34 who had a test for one or more sexually transmissible infections (chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea) within the previous 12 months.
It is collected for males and females in age groups:
- 15–19
- 20–24
- 25–29
- 30–34.
Why testing for selected STIs is important
Best practice guidelines recommend that First Nations people be screened for chlamydia and gonorrhoea annually. An increase in the number of people tested annually for STIs helps identify asymptomatic infections. Early detection, if the STI is treated, can reduce the time a person is infectious and therefore assist in reducing transmission rates, as well as reducing the likelihood of complications or adverse outcomes to the individual.
First Nations people are at higher risk of contracting STIs, particularly if living in remote areas (NACCHO and RACGP 2024).
At June 2025, 28% of (or around 33,300) First Nations regular clients aged 15–34 had a test for one or more sexually transmissible infections (chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea) within the previous 12 months (Figure 30).
The data visualisation below (Figure 30) shows, for each collection period from December 2024 to June 2025, the proportion of First Nations regular clients aged 15–34 who had a test for one or more sexually transmissible infections (chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea) within the previous 12 months. Select by either:
- organisation type
- remoteness
- state/territory
- age group/sex
to see data for that breakdown.
Data tables supporting this visualisation are available at Data.
Figure 30: STI testing by collection period
At December 2024, 29% of First Nations regular clients aged 15–34 had a test for one or more sexually transmissible infections (chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea) within the previous 12 months.
Notes
- This indicator was first collected in December 2024. For more information see Interpreting nKPI data.
- For more information, including on interpreting changes over time, see Technical notes.
Rates of STI testing are generally higher in non-urban areas. The relatively large number of non-ACCHOs in the Northern Territory in non-urban areas means that caution should be taken when interpreting results by organisation type. For example, while it might appear that testing rates for non-ACCHOs are better than those for ACCHOs, this is not necessarily the case.
Reference
NACCHO (National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation) and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) (2024) National guide to preventive healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: 4th edition, RACGP, accessed 10 November 2025.