Brisbane Metro South Sexual Health Service
Brisbane Metro South Sexual Health Service provides a confidential clinic for testing and treating sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Our clinics are based at:
- Princess Alexandra Hospital
- Logan Hospital
The clinics are at various times and by appointment only. Appointments are with a doctor or nurse and there are also 15-minute express clinic appointments for screening people without symptoms and not requiring treatment. Please let us know if you need an interpreter when booking your appointment.
A referral from your GP may be required and this can be discussed when you phone to make an appointment.
Our Services
| We provide: | We do not provide: |
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- Testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- HIV care
- HIV PEP (post exposure prophylaxis)
- Help accessing HIV PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis)
- Certificates for sex work
- Contact tracing
- Youth Outreach Programs
- Counselling for new HIV diagnosis
- Emergency contraception
- Mpox and other vaccinations for eligible clients.
| - Point-of-Care or rapid testing for HIV or STIs
- Contraception (including hormonal contraceptives or vasectomies)
- Pregnancy planning
- Gynaecology services
- Management of sexual function issues (eg erectile dysfunction)
- Gender affirming medicine
- Appointments for people 15 years old and under
- Termination of pregnancy (for help please refer to Queensland Governnment Termination of pregnancy)
Note: We can help you find clinics who provide these services. |
Appointments
We do not have a walk-in service. Please phone us on (07) 3176 5881 for an appointment. You will talk with a Nurse who will ask for some details to book you into an appropriate appointment. If you would prefer to see a female or male Nurse or Doctor, please let us know. We can book a telephone interpreter if you need. When we can’t answer the phone, please leave a clear message on our answering service and we will call you back.
Referrals
Some appointments need a letter from your doctor. If you have seen your doctor and have had tests or treatment, you will need a letter to be sent to us before your appointment. Please phone us on (07) 3176 5881 for more information.
Transferring your care
If you would like to transfer your care to our clinic, you can ask your current doctor or clinic to write a referral for our doctors to review. We will contact you to book an appointment.
Appointment Types
Express
- This is a 15-minute appointment for people who have no symptoms.
- It is also known as a routine screen.
- Your appointment will be with a Sexual Health Nurse.
- We will ask you about your health history and your sexual history.
The tests may include:
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Swab tests
We will contact you with the results either by phone call or SMS.
Regular
This is a 30-minute appointment with either a Sexual Health Nurse or a Doctor.
These appointments are:
- If you have symptoms such as discharge or pain
- If you have been notified as a contact of an STI
- If you need treatment
- If you are 16 or 17 years old
- If your Doctor or GP has sent a referral to the Clinic
- If you need a certificate for sex work
You may need a genital exam at your appointment. We will make sure you feel comfortable during this exam. If you would like someone to be with you, please tell the Nurse or Doctor.
Costs for the appointment
Medicare
- If you have a Medicare Card the appointment and testing is free.
- Most treatment is free.
- Some medications may have a cost.
Reciprocal Health
- Some countries have an agreement with Australia.
- View the Metro South Reciprocal Health Care agreements brochure
- You will need to bring your Passport or temporary Medicare Card when you come to the clinic.
- Your appointment and testing will be free.
- Most treatment will be free.
- Some medications may have a cost.
No Medicare and Non-reciprocal Countries
- You will need to pay for your appointment and tests before you come to the clinic.
- Most people will need to pay for 4 tests.
- View the Metro South Medicare Ineligible fees and charges brochure
- Your private health insurance may give you money back for the cost of the appointment and tests. You will need to contact them first.
- Many private medical clinics will bill your health insurance directly for this service.
- Queensland Public Hospitals provide free HIV care to people living with HIV who do not have Medicare.
- Phone us on (07) 3176 5881 for further information.
Testing information
How often should I test?
If you have sex, you need regular sexual health tests. Sex includes all sexual activity as some infections can live in your throat or bottom. You should have tests even if you do not have STI symptoms.
- If you have sex and you use condoms, test once every year. Test more often if you have more than one partner
- If you have sex and are not using condoms, test every 3 to 6 months
- If you are male and have sex with other men, test every 3 months.
- If you are female and have sex with other women, test every 6 to 12 months.
- If you have a regular partner, and have both had testing, and you both have no other partners, you can stop having tests.
- If you have never had any type of sex with someone else, you do not need to have a test.
When and why should I test?
Please call us as soon as possible if:
- You have symptoms such as discharge, pain or new sores
- You have been told by a partner they have an STI.
Some people like to have a test when they finish or start a relationship.
Some STIs need time for us to test. This time changes for different STIs. If you have no symptoms, we may ask you to wait before coming in for a test. Please call us for more information
How long until I get my results?
- Most tests take between 5 and 7 days to be completed.
- While you are waiting for your results, we recommend not to have sex with anyone.
- We will send an SMS or phone you when the results are available.
I have an STI. What do I need to do?
You need to stop having sex with other people until after you have been treated and when we let you know that the infection is gone.
Treatment
We will book you in for treatment. Most treatment is free at the clinic.
Let your partners know
- If you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), letting your partners know is important. They can choose to get tested and treated.
- Early treatment can protect their health and stop the spread of STIs. You can have an infection without knowing or having symptoms.
- This helps to stop an infection being given to another person. It will also stop you getting the infection again from the same person
- There are different ways to let someone know:
- Talking face-to-face or speaking on the phone.
- Sending them an SMS message or using the social on-line app.
Telling them anonymously using a website such as:
You can talk with our Contact Tracing Officer at the clinic for more help. Your partners can be tested at any clinic or Doctor.
Test again
- After you have finished your treatment, you may have another appointment for testing.
- This is to make sure you no longer have the infection.
- We will tell you if you need to have another test.
Other options for testing
General Practice Doctors
- All doctors can test you for STIs.
- Some doctors have done more training in sexual health.
- Some clinics offer walk-in or evening appointments.
- You can search the internet for “GP sexual health” in your local area.
Point of Care Testing (POCT)
- Some clinics test for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea.
- Your results are ready on the same day.
- The closest clinic is called Rapid. They are in Fortitude Valley.
- For more information: Free Rapid HIV and STI Test
Test at Home
- If you have no symptoms, you can test for some STIs at home.
- You should still visit a clinic at least once every year for testing.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea
- 13Health Webtest can send you a pathology form to get a urine test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea at a pathology clinic.
- This tests for chlamydia and gonorrhoea in your urine. It does not test for infection at other sites.
- Results are sent to you by SMS or phone call.
- If an infection is found, you can get free treatment at Metro South Sexual Health, or get a script from your GP.
- For more information: Free Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea Test
HIV
- Rapid can send you a home testing kit.
- This tests for HIV in a small sample of your blood.
- For more information: Free Rapid HIV and STI Test
We welcome everyone
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
We welcome all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our clinics are on the lands of the Yugambeh, Quandamooka, Jaggera and Ugarapul People.
For more health information visit:
LGBTIQA+, Sistergirl and Brotherboy Health
Sexual health testing for people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer can sometimes be challenging, and at times discriminatory. We have a safe and confidential space to talk about your sexual health. Your sexuality, gender identity and pronouns are respected.
The Queensland Council for LGBTI Health provides support for the LGBTIQA+ community in Queensland. For more information visit QUAC or their Facebook page.
People who do not speak English
- We can book an interpreter for you.
- This is a free service.
- We often use a phone interpreter during your appointment.
- The Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) have information in your language.
- Visit the ECCQ - Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland website.
Sex Workers
We can provide you with your Sexual Health Certificate of Attendance. A certificate is needed every 3 months if you work in a licensed brothel in Queensland. Please phone us to book your 30-minute appointment for your certificate.
For more information visit Respect Inc and Scarlett Alliance - Australian Sex Workers Association who provide advice and support for Sex Workers.
Preventing HIV
PEP Post Exposure Prophylaxis
- PEP is a 28-day treatment for preventing HIV infection.
- It is taken after a possible exposure to HIV.
- Get PEP.
- You need to start this treatment within 72 hours of exposure.
- You will need to visit Doctor who can prescribe this medication or a hospital Emergency Department.
PrEP Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
- PrEP is a medication to prevent HIV infection.
- It can be taken daily or on-demand.
- You will need to have an appointment every 3 months for testing and a new prescription.
- Many General Practice Doctors prescribe this medication.
- Come Prepd has more information about PrEP.
Youth Outreach
We visit groups who provide services for young people. We provide education on sexual health which includes:
- Safer sex options
- Consent
- Free and confidential testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea for young people aged 16 years and older
This is a free service. Please phone us on (07) 3176 5881 for more information.
STI Information
Information for health professionals
Sexually transmitted infections
HIV
Contact tracing
Clinic locations and transport information
Princess Alexandra Hospital
- Address: 199 Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba Qld 4102
- Map: Location
By car
By bus
- There are Bus Stations at PA Hospital and Buranda Busway.
- There are bus stops on Ipswich Road and Cornwall Street.
By train
- The nearest train stations are:
- Dutton Park (Beenleigh/Ferny Grove Line) – currently closed until late 2024
- Buranda (Cleveland/Shorncliffe Line)
- Park Road (you can catch a connecting bus from Boggo Road to Princess Alexandra Busway)
For Public Transport information visit Translink
Logan Hospital
- Address: Cnr Loganlea Rod & Armstrong Road, Meadowbrook Qld 4131
- Map: Location
By car
By bus
- There is a bus stop on Armstrong Road.
By train
- The nearest train station is Loganlea, on the Beenleigh/Ferny Grove and Gold Coast lines.
For Public Transport information visit Translink
