How long do STI test results take in Australia?

Waiting on STI results is the worst part. The good news: at Clinic365 we quote 3 to 5 days, but in reality most results are back within 1 to 2 days. Here's what drives the timing, which tests take a little longer, and exactly how you'll get your results.

The short answer: how long do STI results take?

At Clinic365 we advertise a turnaround of 3 to 5 days on purpose, so the timeframe holds up even on a busy week. In practice, most results come back within 1 to 2 days of your sample reaching the lab. A couple of tests — and any result that needs confirming — can take a day or two longer, which we cover below.

You'll get your results by SMS as soon as your Specialist GP has reviewed them, so you're not left refreshing a portal or waiting for a second appointment.

What affects how long results take

Two things mostly determine turnaround: the type of test and the lab's workload.

The type of sample

Most STI testing uses a technique called NAAT (nucleic acid amplification testing) on a urine sample or a self-collected swab — the standard, most accurate method for chlamydia and gonorrhoea.¹ Blood tests, for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis, are processed alongside them. All of these are routine for Australian labs and usually turn around quickly.

When you were tested

If your sample reaches the lab early in the week, it's often resulted within a day. Samples collected late on a Friday, or over a public holiday, can take a little longer simply because of lab hours.

Why some results take a little longer

A few situations add a day or two:

• Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen). This test is more specialised and isn't run as often, so it commonly takes a little longer than a standard chlamydia or gonorrhoea result.²
• Positive or borderline results. When a result looks positive, the lab often runs a confirmatory test before reporting it. That's a good thing — it means the result you're given is accurate — but it can add a day or two.

If your results are taking longer than expected, it usually just means one of these steps is happening in the background, not that something is wrong.

How you'll get your results

At Clinic365, results come to you by SMS once a Specialist GP has reviewed them. If everything is clear, you'll get a message saying so. If something needs treating, your GP will call you to talk it through and arrange it — often with an eScript sent straight to your phone. You can also check where your results are at any time on our results page.

Either way, you don't need to book a second appointment just to find out.

Do at-home test kits take longer?

Not really. With our at-home STI test kit you collect a urine sample at home and drop it to any pathology lab the same day, so it reaches the lab just like an in-person sample — and the processing time is the same 1 to 2 days. There's no posting and no reply-paid wait. If blood tests are also needed, a referral is ready so those can be taken when you drop your sample off.

What to do while you wait

The wait is the hard part, so a few practical things:

• Avoid sex, or use condoms, until you have your results — especially if you were tested because of symptoms or a partner's diagnosis.
• Don't re-test straight away. Testing very soon after a possible exposure can miss an early infection, so if you tested early your GP may suggest repeating it later.¹
• Try not to read anything into the wait itself. Timing varies by test and by lab, not by whether your result is good or bad.³

If you develop worsening symptoms while you wait — severe pain, fever, or feeling very unwell — don't wait for the result. Seek care promptly, and in an emergency call 000.