Arabic version: إغلاق مركز الصحة الجنسية في ملبورن على الرغم من ارتفاع حالات العدوى المنقولة جنسياً

Sexual Health Victoria has announced the closure of its Melbourne CBD facility at the end of the month, citing insufficient government funding to meet record demand for services. The decision comes even as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Victoria remain at high levels, following a surge in cases throughout the 2010s. According to ABC News, the not-for-profit organization will consolidate its services with its Box Hill location, necessitating a 15-kilometer journey for many clients seeking care.

The CBD clinic provided essential services, including STI screenings, contraceptive prescriptions, and reproductive health vaccinations. Last year, it recorded over 16,500 appointments for 8,663 clients, with 87 percent of these being in-person visits. However, the facility’s limited space and high demand have made it unsustainable, prompting the organization to make this difficult decision. “Unless we consolidate now, it actually puts our entire organization at risk because we can’t sustain it,” stated Sexual Health Victoria spokesperson Sarah Cabret.

The closure comes at a time when common STIs like syphilis, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia are at concerning levels. For instance, syphilis rates were over four times higher in 2025 compared to 2010, and gonorrhoea infections have surged by 55 percent since 2021. Despite these alarming statistics, the state government has not increased funding for the organization in 15 years, aside from adjustments for inflation.

Community health advocates have voiced concerns about the impact of the closure, particularly on young people who may struggle to access sexual health services. La Trobe University’s Professor Jennifer Power noted that the closure could create barriers to care, especially for those unfamiliar with navigating bulk-billing services. Greens health spokesperson Sarah Mansfield echoed these concerns, stating that losing the CBD clinic would deprive young people of essential, affordable support.

In response to the growing need for sexual health education and services, Sexual Health Victoria recently launched a statewide advertising campaign aimed at encouraging young people to get tested for STIs. The organization has also expanded its telehealth services to reach patients in remote areas, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining care despite the challenges posed by funding and facility limitations.