Syphilis cases among Australian women surge 167% as STI rates hit decade high
Syphilis notifications among women jumped 167% over ten years. 42,393 gonorrhoea and 5,986 syphilis cases were recorded in 2025.
Reported gonorrhoea and syphilis cases have both risen by about 56% across Australia over the past decade. In 2025, 42,393 gonorrhoea notifications and 5,986 syphilis notifications were recorded.
The concerning spike is occurring among women. Syphilis cases among women jumped 167% compared with 39% among men.
Men still account for the majority of cases. But experts warn that rising female infections are causing syphilis in pregnancy.
This can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death. Over the past ten years, 113 congenital syphilis cases were recorded.
40 of those infants died. Indigenous Australians are diagnosed with gonorrhoea at more than four times the rate of non-Indigenous Australians.
Syphilis occurs at more than six times the rate.
- 167%
- Syphilis rise among women
- 5,986
- Syphilis notifications 2025
- 40 infants
- Congenital syphilis deaths
- 113 congenital cases
- Ten-year reporting period
Why it mattersSyphilis and gonorrhoea pose serious health risks if left untreated, including pregnancy complications that can be fatal to infants. These are entirely preventable with early testing and treatment.
AustraliaAll Australians, especially women planning pregnancy and Indigenous communities, face rising infection risks that strain health services and require urgent investment in testing and treatment.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 10 d ago
