Syphilis urgently needs to be on your radar. Cases are continuing to rise, but the spread is preventable through proactive testing and early treatment.

In 2025, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd AO, declared syphilis a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance (CDINS). This national declaration recognises that syphilis is a national health priority, and we all have a role to play in reducing the transmission and health impacts. Syphilis is preventable. Early detection and treatment are critical

Cases have doubled in the last decade

Syphilis can be passed from a pregnant person to their baby

Up to 50% of cases show no symptoms

It’s crucial for primary care health professionals on the frontline of prevention and treatment
to put syphilis back on their radar.

We encourage professionals to move from risk-based testing to opportunistic and enhanced testing strategies to protect all communities. At a time when accurate information is critical, ASHM wants to guide the way with resources and tool to help primary health professional make informed decisions for their patients. Together we can stop syphilis slipping through.

Syphilis can affect anyone. 

While some populations experience higher rates, notifications are increasing across all demographics, particularly among people of reproductive age.

Populations at particular risk of syphilis include:

People who can become pregnant
Gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
People with new or multiple sexual partners.

Access our guide to discussing syphilis testing and treatment with your patients.

RESOURCES

Could It Be Syphilis? Clinical Indicator Tool

Syphilis management guidelines

Syphilis decision making tool

Further learning and clinical tools

Explore evidence-based education and tools developed by ASHM:

ASHM Syphilis Education Library

ASHM Decision-Making in Doxy-PEP tool

ASHM Clinical Foundations of Sexual Health Module

ASHM Introduction to Syphilis Nursing Module

Jurisdictional guidelines and support

CDNA National Guidelines for Public Health Units:

NSW Health Syphilis Control Guideline

NSW Syphilis in Pregnancy and Newborns Policy Directive –Oct 2023

NSW SHIL Syphilis Support Program

VIC DoH Blue Book Syphilis

MSHC Syphilis Treatment Guidelines

WA STI and BBV guidelines (Silver book) Quick guide for testing and treatment of syphilis infection in WA – Oct 2025

SA Syphilis for health professionals

SA Syphilis Register

SA Perinatal Practice Guideline Syphilis in Pregnancy and the Neonate

ACT Health Syphilis Testing in Pregnancy

NT Health: Syphilis

Congenital syphilis guidelines for the NT. 3rd edition.

QLD Health: Syphilis and QLD Syphilis Surveillance Service (QSSS)

QLD Clinical Guidelines: Syphilis and pregnancy

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ASHM Head Office – Sydney

Level 3, 160 Clarence Street Sydney, NSW 2000

Tel: (+61) 02 8204 0700

Acknowledgement of Country

ASHM acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country across the various lands on which we live and work. We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ continuing connection to land, water, and community and we pay our respects to Elders past and present. ASHM acknowledges Sovereignty in this country has never been ceded. It always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.