Young Western Australians are being reminded to take simple steps to protect their sexual health as they prepare to celebrate Leavers week.
While these events are a time to celebrate, they can also involve increased risk-taking, including unprotected sex and alcohol or drug use.
To support young people in making informed decisions, WA Health is running a Snapchat campaign from 16 November to 14 December. It guides students through 3 simple steps – pack condoms, use them and get tested for STIs.
As part of the campaign, WA Health held a condom wallet design competition. The winning design will be featured on condom wallets distributed at the 2025 Dunsborough Leavers Week, improving access to condoms and promoting safer sex.
Consistent condom use during vaginal, anal, or oral sex helps prevent the transmission of sexually transmissible infections (STIs). Getting tested ensures early detection and treatment of infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
Young people aged 15 to 19 remain one of the highest age groups for gonorrhoea and chlamydia notifications in WA and are a priority population under the Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Strategy 2024–2030.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to talk with their teenagers about respect, consent, contraception, condoms, and sexual health services to support informed choices.
Health professionals are encouraged to offer opportunistic STI testing to patients at least once a year.
