This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Here's what at-home STI (STD) testing costs with TestSmart, and how Medicare applies.
What At-Home STD Testing Costs with TestSmart
TestSmart kits are priced two ways: a Medicare rate for card holders, and a private rate for those without Medicare eligibility.
| Kit | Medicare card holder | Private (no Medicare) | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard STI Kit | $79 | $179 | Chlamydia and gonorrhoea (urine sample) |
| Comprehensive STI Kit | $99 | $199 | Chlamydia and gonorrhoea across three sites (genital, throat, rectal) |
| HPV Self-Collection (Cervical Screening) Kit | $69 | Medicare only | HPV self-collection for cervical screening |
Each price includes the GP's review of your intake questionnaire, packaging and postage both ways (delivery of the kit to you and prepaid return post to the lab), and the doctor's review of your results. Pathology processing at a NATA-accredited lab is included in the price only for the private (no Medicare) rate — Medicare card holders have this bulk billed separately rather than paying for it as part of the kit price. The HPV Self-Collection Kit is currently available to Medicare card holders only.
Ready to test? Our at-home kit tests for chlamydia and gonorrhoea with a simple urine sample. No clinic, no collection centre, discreet delivery.
Need throat and rectal testing too? See the Comprehensive Kit · Cervical screening? See the Cervical Screening Kit
Is At-Home STI Testing Covered by Medicare?
Partly, and only for Medicare card holders. If you hold a Medicare card, the pathology (lab processing) component is bulk billed directly - the same as a sample processed after a standard GP referral - so it isn't part of what you pay TestSmart; the Medicare-rate price covers the GP's questionnaire and results review, and postage both ways.
If you're not eligible for Medicare, the private rate applies instead for STI kits, and that price covers postage both ways, GP review, and the lab processing together. With TestSmart, the cost is fixed and known upfront.
Is There a Cheaper Way to Get Tested?
If cost is the main factor and you don't require the convenience of home collection, two lower-cost options exist:
- A bulk-billed GP visit, if your GP offers same-day bulk billing, followed by a Medicare-covered pathology referral
- A public sexual health clinic — costs and wait times vary, so check with your local clinic
At-home testing costs more upfront than a fully bulk-billed pathway, but avoids appointment wait times, clinic visits and a separate collection centre visit.
Summary
| Option | Typical cost | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| TestSmart at-home kit (Medicare) | $69–$99 | Convenience, privacy, no appointment |
| TestSmart at-home kit (private, no Medicare) | $179–$199 | Convenience, privacy, no appointment; STI kits only - HPV self-collection currently requires Medicare |
| Bulk-billed GP + pathology | May be bulk billed | Requires appointment, clinic visit, wait time - availability of bulk-billing GPs varies by area |
| Public sexual health clinic | Varies — check with your local clinic | Availability and wait times vary |
If you have Medicare and value convenience and privacy, an at-home STI test kit is a simple alternative. If you don't have Medicare, an STI kit is still available at the private rate, but cervical screening will need a different pathway - worth checking with a GP clinic.
Ready to test? Our at-home kit tests for chlamydia and gonorrhoea with a simple urine sample. No clinic, no collection centre, discreet delivery.
Need throat and rectal testing too? See the Comprehensive Kit · Cervical screening? See the Cervical Screening Kit