The new HealthySexual campaign launching on 20 July encourages Western Australians to practise safer sex and get tested regularly for sexually transmissible infections (STIs).
The HealthySexual campaign follows continued increases in STI transmission across WA, with gonorrhoea notifications rising from 2,909 cases in 2021 to more than 5,200 cases annually in 2024 and 2025. Infectious syphilis also remains a significant public health concern, with 776 cases reported in 2025. Since 2019, 20 cases of congenital syphilis, where a mother with syphilis passes the infection to her baby during pregnancy or at birth, have been recorded in WA, reinforcing the importance of regular testing, early treatment and antenatal screening.
Many STIs do not cause noticeable symptoms, which can make it difficult for people to know they have one. Without diagnosis and treatment, some STIs can cause serious long-term health complications, including infertility, and can continue to spread within the community
Building on previous sexual health campaigns, HealthySexual brings syphilis and gonorrhoea messaging together under a single platform. Updated campaign materials feature both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Western Australians and have been designed to be inclusive, culturally appropriate and relevant to communities across the State.
The campaign will be delivered statewide across metropolitan and regional WA through a mix of channels including social media, dating apps, radio, digital audio, rideshare advertising and outdoor advertising.
HealthySexual supports the priorities of the WA Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Strategy 2024–2030 and aims to increase awareness, encourage testing and reduce the spread of STIs in WA.
