Early days

At the start, the service focused on sexual health care for soldiers returning from World War I.

Over the years, the service evolved to meet the demands of its clients as well as the ever-changing sexual health landscape.

We have had a variety of names, such as:

  • Government VD Clinic
  • Communicable Diseases Centre
  • STD Centre

Where we are now

We have established a reputation of excellence and innovation. We have progressively developed into a well-respected service, constantly striving for the highest standards of patient care, education and prevention. 

As the service has become more and more sophisticated, our importance as a centre of excellence has grown. We are now a leading provider of sexual health training and education.

We provide training and education to health professionals including:

  • practice nurses
  • general practitioners
  • medical undergraduates
  • medical and nursing postgraduates

Free public sexual health care

An agreement between the Commonwealth and State Governments provides ongoing funding to the Centre. This enables us to provide free, quality, public sexual health care.

In 1992, the service relocated to 580 Swanston Street, Carlton and was re-named Melbourne Sexual Health Centre.

World leaders in STI research

Professor Director Christopher Fairley was appointed in late 1999. Professor Fairley and the Centre research team have since become world leaders in STI research.

In 2003, Melbourne Sexual Health Centre joined with Alfred Health. The Alfred is home to a large Infectious Diseases department and statewide Victorian HIV Service.

High quality service provision

Melbourne Sexual Health Centre and Alfred Health work in close collaboration to ensure the ongoing high quality STI and HIV services across both sites.

Significant efficiencies have been introduced at the Centre:

  • A walk in and wait triage service allows us to provide testing and treatment to symptomatic patients on the day of their visit.
  • We launched an electronic patient arrival system in 2008. This allows patients to register their arrival at the service and has reduced queues at reception.
  • A fully electronic medical record was introduced in 2011. This allows us to access accurate and up to date patient history and results all in one place.

Better manage demand

In 2019 we began offering booked appointments for quick asymptomatic screening visits. This helps us manage demand for our services and makes sure patients are not waiting hours for a simple STI check up. 

In 2020, we worked with the Department of Health to pilot the Victorian Sexual Health Network. The aim of this network is to increase STI testing and treatment service capability across Victoria through GP partner clinics.