STI testing
Want to stay on top of your sexual health? In Australia, you need a referral from a doctor to access an STI screening test. Once you have a referral, the cost of the laboratory test can be covered/subsidised, if you are registered with Medicare. With Qoctor, it’s discrete, convenient and affordable to get a same day referral. STI test consultations cost $39.99 (urine test), or $42.99 (urine & blood tests), which includes a free follow up consult to discuss your results if you need to!
How it works
- Answer some online questions, then have a phone/video consultation with one of our doctors.
- Once approved by the doctor, download your pathology request from your Qoctor account.
- Print the form and take it to your local pathology collection centre to get tested
- When we receive your results, they’ll appear on your Qoctor account so you can view them.
- When the doctor checks your results, you’ll get an SMS
- Book a free follow-up appointment from your Qoctor account, to discuss the results if you wish/if you’ve been advised to.
- Please note, this is an STI screening service for people who do NOT have symptoms- if you think you have symptoms of an STI, you should see a doctor in person for examination.
About STI Tests
Some STIs don’t have any symptoms, so you may have an infection without even knowing it! This can be a problem as you can pass the infection on to a sexual partner without being aware. If an STI is not treated, you and/or your partner(s) could also end up with long term health issues. Getting regular sexual health check ups helps you to feel safer and more confident in your sexual health.
A urine test can check for common infections such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Mycoplasma Genitalium. For other bloodborne infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B&C, and Syphilis, you’ll need a blood test also.
Important: if you have symptoms suggestive of an STI or are feeling unwell, you will need in-person care. Go to your local doctor or sexual health clinic instead.
*With a valid pathology referral, issued following a doctor’s assessment, laboratories will not charge you for most common pathology tests. This applies to people with a Medicare/DVA card only. If you do not have a valid Medicare card, the lab will generally charge you a fee for processing the test. This fee will vary between different laboratories- you should clarify this with the individual lab before proceeding.
Common Questions and Answers
In Australia, most pathology laboratories/collection centres will only conduct a pathology test if you have a referral from a registered doctor. While some labs can perform a very limited number of specific tests if a patient “self refers” (see below for details), in the vast majority of cases, a pathology referral/request from a doctor is required.
Self requesting blood tests/pathology tests
Most labs do not offer testing based on “self referral” because tests are expensive, and results are often complex to interpret. However there are some limited exceptions:
Dorevitch– No self-referral for blood tests
Australian Clinical Labs– No self-referral for blood tests.
QML Laboratories: Self referral/self request available for Blood Group, Hepatitis serology, MMR (measles mumps rubella) serology, Varicella (Chicken Pox) serology, Quantiferon Gold, Mantoux test, drug screening, alcohol breath test, COVID-19 swab.
4Cyte Laboratories No self-referral for blood tests
Please note that labs may change their policies over time, and the above is a guide only. Check with your local lab for further details.
The time it takes for pathology test results to come back depends on a number of factors. In most cases, it will just take a few business days. This may vary slightly, depending on the type of test, as well as the processing time at the pathology collection centre/laboratory you used. When Qoctor receives your results, and the doctor has checked it, we’ll inform you via SMS and/or email. Most results will also then also appear on your own Qoctor profile, where you can view them.
If you have not received an SMS or email notification about your test result within 1 week (4-5 business days) of having the test, please email Qoctor at info@qoctor.com.au OR use the live chat function on our home page- let us know the laboratory/pathology collection centre you attended, the date of the test, as well as your name and date of birth, and we can chase it up with the lab on your behalf, as soon as possible.
Please bear in mind, that many labs have limited staffing at weekends, so if you contact us at the weekend, we may not be able to access the result for you until they re-open on Monday.
Can I order my own blood tests in Australia?
In Australia, most pathology laboratories/collection centres will only conduct a pathology test if you have a referral from a registered doctor. While some labs can perform a very limited number of specific tests if a patient “self refers” (see below for details), in the vast majority of cases, a pathology referral/request from a doctor is required.
Will I need to pay the laboratory for a blood test?
The Australian healthcare system subsidises the cost of most common pathology tests for Australians who have a Medicare card. Therefore, your Medicare details should be included on the pathology request form. This is to encourage people to speak to their doctor about their health concerns, and to ensure that taxpayers’ money is being used wisely.
Are all pathology tests covered by Medicare?
It’s important to note that some tests are NOT covered by Medicare, or will only be covered a certain number of times per year- your doctor will usuallly flag this with you in advance, and the pathology collection centre will generally draw your attention to this too.
Will I need to pay for a blood test if I don’t have Medicare?
If you don’t have Medicare, you can still get tested using a pathology request form, but you will be invoiced by the pathology laboratory afterwards (be sure to enquire about the cost beforehand). In this case, you may be covered by health insurance and can claim it back- check your policy.
How to get a valid pathology referral
A pathology referral can be obtained by speaking to a registered Australian doctor- this can be a face to face consultation or a telehealth appointment via phone call or video call. Some online providers only assess people via an online questionnaire or SMS, without a phone/video call- this is not best practice and may lead to issues with your Medicare rebates down the track- that’s why it is important to stick with providers who conduct a proper telehealth consult (as Qoctor does).
Self requesting blood tests/pathology tests
Most labs do not offer testing based on “self referral” because tests are expensive, and results are often complex to interpret. However there are some limited exceptions:
Dorevitch– No self-referral for blood tests
Australian Clinical Labs– No self-referral for blood tests.
QML Laboratories: Self referral/self request available for Blood Group, Hepatitis serology, MMR (measles mumps rubella) serology, Varicella (Chicken Pox) serology, Quantiferon Gold, Mantoux test, drug screening, alcohol breath test, COVID-19 swab.
4Cyte Laboratories No self-referral for blood tests
Please note that labs may change their policies over time, and the above is a guide only. Check with your local lab for further details.
With Qoctor, you can request a blood test to screen for HIV, Hepatitis B & C, and Syphilis. These are all serious bloodborne infections, and require specialist treatment if detected. Many people wish to have these tests performed at the same time they are having their urine test for more common sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Mycoplasma Genitalium.
If you receive a pathology request form from Qoctor, you can download it from your Qoctor account, print it and take it to any accredited pathology collection centre of your choice. Your test results will get sent to us by the relevant pathology laboratory, usually a few days after you have the test. Once available, we will display your results on your Qoctor account. For privacy and security, you will need to log in to view results.
Approved Pathology Collection Centres (APCCs)
APCCs are facilities to where patients can take their pathology request form to have their sample/specimen collected for testing in a pathology laboratory. They are linked to accredited pathology laboratories and are subject to ongoing monitoring processes, ensuring the quality of pathology collection services. If you are unsure whether your Pathology Collection Centre is linked to an accredited laboratory, you can look for the NATA/RCPA logos or endorsement certificates, or ask the staff if the lab they work with has NATA/RCPA accreditation. Patients can also refer to the NATA website which lists all Medical Testing laboratories currently accredited in Australia (bearing in mind, the lab may not be in the same physical location as the collection centre).
With Qoctor, you can request to have a urine test for STIs, which checks for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Mycoplasma Genitalium. The consultation fee is $39.99. Results are displayed and viewable on your Qoctor account, once the laboratory makes them available to us. The consultation fee includes a follow up doctor’s consultation with Qoctor within 30 days, if you wish to discuss your test results or if the results are abnormal in any way. If you would also like to have blood tests to screen for HIV, Hepatitis B&C and Syphilis, the consultation fee is slightly higher, at $42.99. Again, a follow up visit is included if you wish to discuss your results or if anything comes back abnormal.
- Simple (urine) UTI test $39.99. Tests for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Mycoplasma Genitalium.
- Extended (urine and blood) STI test $42.99. Tests for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Mycoplasma Genitalium, HIV, Hepatitis B&C and Syphilis.
STI Screening with Qoctor can involve tests for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Mycoplasma Genitalium (urine test). Blood tests for Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV are also possible. “Screening” is when you get tested for something when you don’t have symptoms. If you are already unwell or have symptoms suggestive of an STI, you should attend a GP or sexual health clinic in person- requesting a test online is not suitable in those circumstances. But, if you just want a test to ensure you don’t have a silent STI infection, online assessment can be a convenient. effective and affordable option for many people. In Australia, pathology tests generally require you to have a request form from a registered doctor. So, once the doctor has carried out a brief consultation and provided a request form, you can print it and take it to your local pathology collection service. The test results, once made available to Qoctor by the laboratory, can be viewed on your Qoctor account, and/or you can speak to one of our doctors if you need to.
Health Library- Sexual Health
Chlamydia- do I have it? what should I do?
Chlamydia- could I have it and what should I do? what is it? symptoms diagnosis treatment Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Australia. It is particularly common in people under the age of 30. All sexually active people should consider regular STI checks, particularly if they have multiple partners. It is common for people to have an STI but not have any symptoms. What is Chlamydia? Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection, which can be caught by having vaginal, oral or anal sex. It is caused by bacteria that live in sexual fluids. What should you do if you think you have Chlamydia? If you know you’ve had sex with somebody who has Chlamydia you should get treatment for it. Whilst you may wish to be tested first, it is also OK to [...]
Abnormal vaginal discharge- 7 infections that can cause it
7 causes of vaginal infection & abnormal vaginal discharge Thrush Bacterial Vaginosis Chlamydia and other STI's What causes vaginal discharge - what’s normal and what’s not? Vaginal discharge is a natural fluid or mucus that keeps the vagina moist and protects it from infection. It tends to be white or clear, and normally doesn’t have an odour. Women often notice that their vaginal discharge changes naturally throughout the month- becoming thin and clear around the time of ovulation, and thicker in the second half of the month, before a period. However, if it changes noticeably in amount, colour or odour, it may mean there is an infection present. Several types of vaginal infection can lead to abnormal vaginal discharge: Types of Vaginal Infection Thrush (Candida) Thrush (or candida to use its medical name) is a yeast infection. It can occur [...]
Bacterial Vaginosis- a common cause of vaginal discharge
What is bacterial vaginosis? A normal, healthy vagina is home to a variety of different bacteria. However, in Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) the balance is disturbed, and an overgrowth of some of these bacteria occurs. It is not entirely clear why this happens. The most common symptom is a vaginal discharge which is often white-grey in colour and may have a fishy smell. However, many women with BV do not have any symptoms at all (up to half of cases). Book an appointment Is bacterial vaginosis a sexually transmitted disease? BV is not a sexually transmitted infection (although using condoms does seem to make it less likely to develop). It can affect all women, whether they have had sex or not, but it is more common in sexually active women. Male sexual partners of women who have BV do not need any treatment, though female sexual partners [...]
6 tummy pains women should know about
Causes of tummy pain in women We all get abdominal aches and pains now and then- most of the time it’s nothing much to worry about and gets better by itself. However, certain causes of tummy pain can indicate a serious underlying problem and shouldn’t be ignored: Ectopic Pregnancy An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants outside the uterus- in a fallopian tube, ovary or elsewhere in the abdomen. As the pregnancy grows, it can cause serious complications including internal bleeding- which, if not diagnosed quickly, can lead to death. The pain tends to be sharp and located low in the tummy, often to the left or the right side. There may be abnormal vaginal bleeding, but usually not. A woman may be a few days late for a period, but not necessarily. Any woman who is sexually active and [...]
The morning after pill- the facts & a new 5 day option
The morning after pill- the facts & a new 5 day option how it works types effectiveness side effects How does the morning after pill work? Unprotected sex, a missed pill, a burst condom-there are many reasons a woman may find herself suddenly worrying about an unplanned pregnancy. Despite its name, the morning after pill is not just for the morning after- it can be taken at any time of day, for a few days after unprotected sex has happened. The time frame depends on the type of pill, though it's best to take it as soon as possible . The morning after pill contains a form of progesterone, and works by stopping release of an egg from the ovary OR by making it less likely that sperm will fertilise an egg. It does not cause an abortion [...]
Getting an STI test- what doctors check for
Getting an STI test- what doctors check for What's included in an STI test? Many sexually transmitted infections (STIs) cause no symptoms. That’s why regular testing (e.g. every 6-12 months) is important if you are sexually active, particularly if you have many partners and/or do not always use a condom. If you ask a doctor for an STI test, there are many infections that can be checked for. Some people just want a urine test for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Mycoplasma Genitalium, others may want a full check for bloodborne infections including tests for Syphilis, HIV, Hepatitis B and C. Here are the infections which are commonly covered by a routine STI test- however, it's important to ask your doctor what they are including. Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea These infections can be caught by having vaginal, oral or anal sex. Both can be tested [...]
