This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Clinical guidelines are reviewed and updated over time — always confirm current advice with a qualified health provider. If you're experiencing severe pain, fever, or other urgent symptoms, seek immediate medical attention rather than relying on this article or at-home testing.
HIV and syphilis aren't included in TestSmart's at-home kits, because they're tested using blood rather than a urine sample or swab. Here's what testing options are available in Australia, including what you can do at home.
Why HIV and Syphilis Testing Is Different
Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are tested using a urine sample or swab, which you can collect yourself at home. HIV and syphilis are tested using blood. A standard laboratory blood test for HIV or syphilis is collected through a GP, pathology collection centre or sexual health clinic.
Can You Test for HIV at Home in Australia?
Yes. There are two options:
- HIV self-test. The Atomo HIV Self-Test is the only HIV self-test approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for use in Australia. It uses a finger-prick blood sample and gives you a result at home. If the result is reactive, you need to see a healthcare provider for a laboratory blood test to confirm it. According to Queensland Health, it can take up to 12 weeks after exposure for this type of test to detect HIV.
- NSW dried blood spot test. NSW Health offers a free dried blood spot test for HIV and hepatitis C to eligible people over 16 living in NSW. You collect a finger-prick blood sample on a test card at home and post it to a laboratory. If HIV is detected, you'll need a standard blood test to confirm the result.
Can You Test for Syphilis at Home in Australia?
Neither of the options above tests for syphilis. Syphilis testing is done with a blood test arranged through a GP, pathology collection centre or sexual health clinic.
Why the Window Period Matters
A window period is the time between exposure and when a test can reliably detect an infection. Testing too early can return a negative result even if you've been infected. Window periods for HIV and syphilis depend on the type of test used, so ask your doctor or a sexual health clinic when to test.
What Should You Do If You Need to Test for HIV or Syphilis?
- See your GP for a pathology referral, then have your blood collected at a pathology collection centre
- Visit a sexual health clinic for HIV and syphilis testing
- For HIV only, use the TGA-approved HIV self-test, or the NSW dried blood spot test if you're eligible — keeping in mind that a reactive or detected result needs a laboratory blood test to confirm
If You've Had a Recent High-Risk Exposure
If your exposure involved a partner whose HIV status is unknown or positive, and it happened within the last 72 hours, contact a sexual health clinic or emergency department promptly to discuss HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). PEP is a 28-day course of medication that must be started within 72 hours of exposure. This is time-sensitive and should not wait for a routine test.
What TestSmart Currently Offers
TestSmart provides at-home, lab-processed testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea (urine and swab-based), as well as HPV self-collection for cervical screening. HIV and syphilis testing is not currently part of TestSmart's at-home kits.
If you're testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea as part of a broader sexual health check, you can complete that step from home with TestSmart, and arrange your HIV and syphilis testing separately.
Testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea? Our at-home kit uses a simple urine sample. No clinic, no collection centre, discreet delivery.
Need throat and rectal testing too? See the Comprehensive Kit
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I test for HIV at home in Australia?
Yes. The Atomo HIV Self-Test is approved by the TGA and gives a result at home from a finger-prick sample. A reactive result needs a laboratory blood test to confirm. If you live in NSW and are eligible, the free NSW Health dried blood spot test lets you collect a sample at home and post it to a laboratory.
Can I test for syphilis at home in Australia?
Syphilis is tested with a blood test arranged through a GP, pathology collection centre or sexual health clinic.
Does TestSmart offer HIV or syphilis testing?
Not at this time. TestSmart offers at-home testing for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and HPV cervical screening, which use urine or swab samples.
If I test negative for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, am I clear of all STIs?
No. A chlamydia and gonorrhoea test only checks for those two infections. If you have risk factors for HIV or syphilis, these need to be tested separately.
The Bottom Line
Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and HPV cervical screening can be tested from home with a urine sample or swab. For HIV, a TGA-approved self-test is available, and NSW offers a dried blood spot test to eligible residents, but a positive result needs laboratory confirmation. Syphilis requires a blood test through a GP, collection centre or sexual health clinic.
You can order an at-home STI test kit for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, and use your GP, a collection centre or a sexual health clinic for any additional testing your situation requires.
TestSmart's testing and treatment pathways are reviewed by Australian-registered GPs and follow current Australian clinical guidelines. This article is general information only and does not replace individual medical advice — your circumstances, symptoms, and test results should always be discussed with your reviewing doctor.