Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea Testing in Melbourne CBD — Results in as little as 40 Minutes
If you’re looking for chlamydia or gonorrhoea testing in Melbourne, CBD Doctors Melbourne offers something most GP clinics can’t — Point of Care PCR testing with results in as little as 40 minutes. One appointment. No waiting days for results. No second visit to discuss treatment.
Same-day appointments are available at our Level 10, 53 Queen Street clinic, and testing is available to anyone who requests it — no referral required, no judgement, no questions about your sexual history beyond what’s clinically necessary.
Why chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing matters right now
Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are the two most commonly notified sexually transmissible infections (STIs) in Australia — and both are on the rise. <National data shows chlamydia cases increased by 24% between 2021 and 2023, with case numbers reaching over 82,000 nationally. Gonorrhoea cases rose even more steeply, up 45% in the same period.>
Melbourne’s inner-city population — including CBD workers, university students, and young residents across Southbank, Carlton, Fitzroy, and Docklands — is among the highest-risk groups nationally. Most cases occur in people under 40, and the single most important thing to understand about both infections is this: most people have no symptoms at all.
That’s why testing — not symptoms — is the reason to get checked.
What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. It is transmitted through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It can infect the genitals, anus, throat, and eyes.
Chlamydia symptoms in women
Most women with chlamydia have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can include:
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Burning or discomfort when urinating
- Pelvic pain or pain during sex
- Bleeding between periods or after sex
- Rectal pain or discharge (if anal infection)
Because symptoms are so often absent, many women are unaware they have chlamydia until a routine test, or until complications develop.
Chlamydia symptoms in men
Most men also experience no symptoms. When present, symptoms can include:
- Discharge from the penis (clear, white, or cloudy)
- Burning or pain when urinating
- Pain or swelling in one or both testicles
- Rectal pain or discharge (if anal infection)
Why untreated chlamydia is serious
Chlamydia that goes untreated can cause significant long-term complications. In women, untreated chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. In men, untreated infection can lead to epididymitis (inflammation of the tube behind the testicle) and in rare cases, reduced fertility.
Crucially, most people with these complications had no idea they were infected in the first place. This is the key reason regular testing is recommended for all sexually active people under 30, or anyone with a new sexual partner.
What is gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Like chlamydia, it is transmitted through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and it can infect the genitals, anus, throat, and eyes. Infections of the cervix, anus, and throat are particularly likely to be asymptomatic.
Gonorrhoea symptoms in women
Most women with gonorrhoea have no symptoms. When symptoms occur they may include:
- Increased or unusual vaginal discharge
- Burning when urinating
- Pelvic pain
- A sore or dry throat (if throat infection)
- Rectal discomfort or discharge
Gonorrhoea symptoms in men
Men are more likely than women to develop symptoms. These can include:
- Yellow, white, or green discharge from the penis
- Pain or burning when urinating
- Pain or swelling in the testicles
- Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding (if anal infection)
- Sore or dry throat (if throat infection)
Antibiotic resistance — an increasing concern
Gonorrhoea is developing resistance to a growing number of antibiotics, including fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin. In Victoria, ciprofloxacin resistance in gonorrhoea is increasing, particularly in strains acquired in Asia. This makes accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment increasingly important — and underscores why self-treating or delaying treatment is not advisable. Your GP will select the appropriate antibiotic based on current treatment guidelines.
Who should get tested?
At CBD Doctors Melbourne, we test anyone who requests an STI test. There is no longer a “low-risk” group — sexual orientation and identity do not determine STI risk, and anyone who is sexually active can acquire chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
We particularly recommend testing if you:
- Have had a new sexual partner recently
- Have had unprotected sex
- Have noticed any of the symptoms described above — or none at all
- Have been asked by a previous partner to get tested
- Are under 30 and sexually active (annual testing is recommended)
- Have had an STI before (prior infection increases the risk of reinfection)
- Are pregnant or planning a pregnancy (testing is part of routine antenatal care)
- Are travelling or have recently returned from overseas
- Haven’t been tested in the last 12 months and are sexually active
How we test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea at CBD Doctors Melbourne
Point of Care PCR testing — results in 30 minutes
CBD Doctors Melbourne offers Point of Care (POC) PCR testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. This is a significant clinical advantage over standard laboratory testing, which typically takes 2–3 days for results and requires a return visit. With POC PCR testing, the specimen is analysed on-site and results are available in as little as 30 to 40 minutes — all within a single appointment.
This service is currently unique in Melbourne and is not widely available at general practice clinics. It means:
- One appointment only — no return visit needed
- Results same day (if your specimen is provided before 5pm)
- If positive, treatment can be prescribed at the same appointment
- No days of uncertainty waiting for a callback
What the test involves
Your CBD Doctors Melbourne GP will:
- Have a brief, confidential conversation about your sexual history and any symptoms
- Provide you with a specimen collection kit
- For women: a self-collected vaginal swab or urine sample
- For men: a urine sample (first void)
- Additional swabs (throat, rectal) can be taken if clinically appropriate
- Your specimens are analysed on-site via PCR
- Results are provided to you the same day — as little as 30–40 minutes after specimen collection
The test is non-invasive, quick, and confidential.
Can I get tested without symptoms?
Yes — and this is the whole point. The majority of people with chlamydia and gonorrhoea have no symptoms. Waiting for symptoms before getting tested means many infections go undetected and untreated, increasing both the risk of complications and the risk of passing the infection to others. You do not need symptoms to request a test at CBD Doctors Melbourne.
What happens if I test positive?
If your POC PCR test returns a positive result, your GP will discuss the result with you at the same appointment and prescribe the appropriate antibiotic treatment. Both chlamydia and gonorrhoea are treatable with antibiotics.
Chlamydia treatment: A short course of antibiotics (typically azithromycin or doxycycline). You should avoid sexual contact until you and your partner(s) have completed treatment and any symptoms have resolved.
Gonorrhoea treatment: Usually a single injection of ceftriaxone, sometimes combined with oral azithromycin, depending on the site of infection and antibiotic sensitivity. Your GP will follow current Australian STI management guidelines.
Partner notification: If you test positive, it’s important that any recent sexual partners are notified and encouraged to get tested. Your GP can advise you on how to do this — and in some cases, a service called “partner notification” can assist.
Follow-up testing: A test of cure (repeat testing 2–3 weeks after treatment) is recommended for gonorrhoea due to increasing antibiotic resistance. Your GP will advise.
What about other STIs?
Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are the most common STIs, but they’re not the only ones. AtCBD Doctors Melbourne, we can also test for the below. Please note the below test will not have a 40 min turn around time. These tests will have results in 2-3 days
- Syphilis — blood test; cases have been rising significantly in Victoria
- HIV — blood test; also available as a rapid test
- Hepatitis B and C — blood test
- Herpes (HSV) — swab of active lesion, or blood test in some situations
- Mycoplasma genitalium — PCR test (ordered for specific symptoms or conditions, not routine)
- HPV — detected via cervical screening for women
If you’d like a broader STI screen at the same appointment, let your GP know. A comprehensive screen can usually be arranged using the same blood draw and urine sample. Result for these tests will take 2-3 days.
How much does chlamydia testing cost in Melbourne CBD?
An STI testing consultation at CBD Doctors Melbourne attracts a Medicare rebate for eligible patients. Sexual health consultations are an exception to our standard billing policy — Medicare rebates apply even for new patients and those who haven’t visited in the last 12 months if you chose a telehealth consultation.
Total cost is $255 – only $211 once you received your Medicare rebate. This includes the doctor consultation and the PCR test.
The Point of Care PCR test itself has a cost of ($150). No Medicare rebate is available for the test.
Testing is available to all patients regardless of Medicare status — we see international students, overseas visitors, and patients without a Medicare card.
Booking a chlamydia or gonorrhoea test in Melbourne CBD
Same-day appointments are available. To book:
- Go to our online booking system and select Rapid STI Test as your appointment reason
- Specimens provided before 4.30pm will receive same-day results
We are located at Level 10, 53 Queen Street, Melbourne CBD — convenient to the CBD, Southbank, Docklands, Carlton, Fitzroy, East Melbourne, and North Melbourne. The clinic is a short walk from Flinders Street Station and accessible via multiple tram routes on Collins, Swanston, and Spencer Streets.
All consultations are completely confidential. Our GPs provide a non-judgemental, respectful environment for all patients.
Frequently asked questions
How long do chlamydia test results take at CBD Doctors Melbourne? With our Point of Care PCR testing, results are available in as little as 40 minutes from when your specimen is collected — all within the same appointment. Specimens must be provided before 4.30pm for same-day results.
Can I get tested for chlamydia without a GP referral? Yes. You can book directly with CBD Doctors Melbourne for a Rapid STI Test — no referral needed. Select “Rapid STI Test” when booking online.
Do I need symptoms to get a chlamydia test? No. Most people with chlamydia or gonorrhoea have no symptoms. You can — and should — request testing based on sexual activity alone, not symptoms.
Is chlamydia testing covered by Medicare? Sexual health consultations attract a Medicare rebate at CBD Doctors Melbourne, including for new patients.
Can men get chlamydia and gonorrhoea? Yes. Both infections affect men and women equally. Men may have slightly more noticeable symptoms than women, but many men also have no symptoms at all.
How often should I get tested for chlamydia? Annual testing is recommended for sexually active people under 30. Testing every 3–6 months is recommended if you have multiple partners or have had an STI before.
What is Point of Care PCR testing? Point of Care (POC) PCR testing uses the same polymerase chain reaction technology as standard laboratory PCR tests, but the analysis is performed on-site rather than being sent to an external laboratory. This produces results in minutes rather than days and eliminates the need for a second appointment.
Can I test for chlamydia via telehealth? You can have your initial consultation via telehealth. The doctor will then invite you to come into the clinic to collect your specimen kit, and your results will be available the same day.