We provide support, resources and expert advice to general practices and primary healthcare teams, helping them to enhance every aspect of running a successful practice.
The Northern Territory (NT) has the highest rates of infectious syphilis in Australia, and has seen
11 notifications of congenital syphilis, tragically including one death, reported since the
beginning of the still-ongoing NT syphilis outbreak in 2013. Congenital syphilis is completely
preventable with appropriate testing and treatment in pregnancy.
As of 6 July 2025, there have been 2,548 infectious syphilis outbreak cases in the NT; 77% of
these have been in people under 35 years of age, and 85% of female outbreak cases have been women
of reproductive age (15-44 years). Despite efforts infectious syphilis has continued to increase,
including in previously unaffected geographic locations.
The objective of public health management of outbreaks of syphilis is to interrupt transmission and
prevent further cases and congenital syphilis cases. To effectively respond to syphilis in the NT
it is imperative that we look at interventions at a population level as well as targeted efforts in
identified population groups and taking a multi-strategy approach.
Increasing syphilis testing is a key strategy to early diagnosis and treatment. NT’s new testing recommendations are for all people aged 15 years and over presenting to any health service in the NT be offered a syphilis test and all pregnant people be tested five times (first visit, 28 weeks, 36 weeks, at birth and six weeks post-natal).
Please offer a syphilis test to your clients/patients.
Resources for organisations and Primary Healthcare service providers can be downloaded here:
Additional information can be found at:
Our work in defining the scope and role of primary health networks in engaging with allied health services to achieve the goals of Australia’s Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan 2022-2032 is informed by the National PHN Allied Health in Primary Care Engagement Framework.