Australia has seen a more than 50% increase in reported cases of gonorrhoea and infectious syphilis over the past decade, with alarming trends noted among women. In 2025, there were 42,393 notifications of gonorrhoea and 5,986 of syphilis, marking increases of 57% and 56%, respectively. The rise in syphilis cases among women has been particularly concerning, with a 167% increase compared to 39% among men.
Indigenous Australians are disproportionately affected, with rates of gonorrhoea and syphilis significantly higher than those of non-Indigenous populations. Experts emphasize the need for improved access to sexual health services and early testing, especially in remote areas, to address these rising infection rates and their severe implications for public health.