Notification Requirements
Syphilis is a notifiable condition in Australia. Any diagnosis is required, by law, to be reported to the appropriate jurisdictional authority. The notification process is different across the states and territories.
Some jurisdictions have syphilis registers that provide a central reference point to enquire about past treatment to enable correct treatment, and to prevent the patient from being unnecessarily re-treated.
Click on your state or territory to view the notification requirements and relevant register information:
Refer to ACT government – Reporting notifiable diseases
Canberra Sexual Health Centre can provide specialist sexual health advice and treatment.
Case notification should be initiated within 24 hours of diagnosis into the Notifiable Conditions Information Management System (NCIMS. For detailed guidance, refer to:
NSW Health Syphilis Control Guideline > Data management NSW Health Disease Notification
Access Notifiable Disease Reporting Form here and submit the completed form to the relevant Centre for Disease Control (CDC) contact. Notifications are stored on the NT Notifiable Diseases System (NTNDS), which is accessible only to NT Centre for Disease Control surveillance staff. The NT Syphilis Register Information System (SRIS) was established in 2009 as the NT-wide database for the operation of the Syphilis Register. Syphilis notifications from both laboratories and clinicians are directed to the Syphilis Register in Top End and Central in the first instance. When a new positive syphilis serology test is reported, SROs will:
- assess all positive serology notified to the CDC
- identify cases in accordance with the public health case definitions
- provide support, education and information to clinicians
- follow-up with clinicians on cases and contacts for disease control purposes.
Contact the NT Syphilis Register: Darwin: 08 8922 7818 Alice Springs: 08 8951 7552 or email syphilis_register.ths@nt.gov.au
For further clinical support, contact your local Regional Sexual Health Coordinator or after-hours support from the CDC on-call nurse.
Laboratories in QLD are required to report all positive syphilis results to the Notifiable Conditions System (NOCS). The QLD Syphilis Register is now known as the QLD Syphilis Surveillance Service (QSSS). The QSSS Syphilis case report forms are emailed or faxed to the treating clinician to complete. The QSSS:
- records the history of an individual’s pathology results for all tests related to the diagnosis and monitoring of syphilis and any associated treatment
- provide the treating clinician with information about a patient’ history of syphilis infection to assist in the diagnosis, management, education and treatment
- requests information from diagnosing clinicians to confirm treatment, keep the records complete and inform service providers about risk factors for contracting syphilis
Phone: 1800 032 238 South QLD: Qld-syphilis-surveillance-service@health.qld.gov.au North QLD: North-qld-syphilis-surveillance-centre@health.qld.gov.au View Syphilis Case Report forms and further guidance HERE.
In SA, clinicians must complete and fax a ‘Syphilis Infection or Related Death’ form to the Communicable Disease Control Branch on (08) 7425 6696. Alternatively, phone notification can be completed on 1300 232 272 if public health advice is required.
Retrieve SA Syphilis Infection or Related Death form HERE. The SA Syphilis Register is a secure, confidential, single statewide database which includes all laboratory-positive syphilis cases diagnosed in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander South Australians. The Register aims to improve the management of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by syphilis. Access is limited to staff within the Communicable Diseases Control Branch, but health providers who are involved in the direct care of patients may contact Register staff to seek information. Email: Health.SASyphilisRegister@sa.gov.au Telephone: 1300 232 272 For more information, visit – SA Syphilis Register | SA Health.
In Victoria, notification of syphilis must be made in writing within five days of diagnosis via faxing a Notification form to the Victoria Department of Health. Retrieve Notification form HERE.
In WA, an online notification form and an enhanced surveillance form must be completed by a medical practitioner as soon as possible after a confirmed diagnosis. The receipt of a notification form will trigger the Public Health Unit (PHU) to contact the service provider to discuss both treatment and contact tracing. Retrieve Communicable Disease Notification Forms for metropolitan or regional residents HERE. Notifications are stored on the WA Notifiable Infectious Diseases Database (WANIDD), access is restricted to disease control medical officers and nurses at the Communicable Disease Control Directorate (CDCD) and regional PHUs. PHU staff:
- check new notifications on WANIDD daily
- discuss new syphilis notifications with the medical officer to verify the case and treatment required
- in the event of a new case, will call the relevant service provider and ask whether the testing occurred in response to symptoms