Sexual health and wellbeing
We have a well-established national leadership role in this area, with longstanding Commonwealth government funding for research that directly informs relevant strategies.
This thematic area focuses on the sexual health, rights, wellbeing and education of people in Australia, including exploration of themes such as:
- sexual communication and consent
- comprehensive approaches to sexual health promotion, education, rights and advocacy
- sexual practices, bodies and pleasure
- prevention of sexually transmissible infections (STIs)
- sexual health and wellbeing in digital spaces
- technologies and digital sexual literacy
We also track young people’s sexual health knowledge and practice, and their experiences of school-based relationships and sexuality education.
Our projects include:
Young people and sexual health publications
The Secondary Students and Sexual Health study series has surveyed the sexual health knowledge and behaviours of young people in Australia approximately every five years since 1992, giving an invaluable cross-section of knowledge and data on how young Australians view sex, sexual health and relationships. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and conducted in every state and territory across Government, Catholic and Independent schools, the series surveys students in Years 10 and 12 on their knowledge, understanding and experiences.
Secondary Students and Sexual Health 7
[2022]
The National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health (SSASH) is a periodic study of young people’s sexual health. This seventh survey reports on sexual identity, STI and HIV prevention, relationships and sexuality education, and progress against priorities in the Fourth National STI Strategy (2018).
Jennifer Power, Sylvia Kauer, Christopher Fisher, Roz Bellamy and Adam Bourne
Building young people's sexual literacy
A report that presents findings from a study that explored effective approaches to digital sexual health promotion with young people [2022]
This report presents findings on effective approaches to digital sexual health promotion with young people, examining how they engage online with sex, sexuality, relationships, and bodies, and identifying innovative ways to support sexual literacy and classroom-based relationships and sexuality education (RSE).
Andrea Waling, Alexandra James, Gene Lim and Jennifer Power
Victorian young people and sexual health 2018
Findings from the 6th National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health [2022]
This Victoria-specific report, based on the 2018 National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health, highlights opportunities to strengthen sexual health literacy, testing, vaccination awareness, safe practices, and the quality of relationships and sexuality education for young people.
Sylvia Kauer and Christopher M Fisher
Young people and sources of sexual health Information
A report [2022]
This report presents research findings from a study exploring young people’s experiences in accessing and assessing sources of sexual health information.
Andrea Waling, Suzanne Fraser and Christopher Fisher
Young people, sexual literacy & sources of knowledge
A review [2019]
Commissioned by the Department of Health, this report reviews literature on the key influences shaping young people’s sexual health and the sources of information they rely on and integrate into their lives.
Andrea Waling, Lucille Kerr, Suzanne Fraser, Adam Bourne and Marina Carman
ARCSHS National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health 1992-2018: Trends over time
Six Waves of the National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health [2019]
For 25 years, the National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health has tracked young people’s sexual health knowledge and behaviours, involving over 15,700 students nationwide. This Trends Over Time report compares results across survey waves to show where progress has been made—and where little has changed—in key areas of sexual health and wellbeing.
Christopher M Fisher and Sylvia Kauer
ARCSHS Western Australian Survey of Secondary School Students and Sexual Health 2018
Findings from the 6th National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health [2019]
Christopher M Fisher, Sylvia Kauer, Andrea Waling, Rosalind Bellamy, Paulina Ezer, Lucille Kerr, Graham Brown and Jayne Lucke
National survey of secondary students and sexual health 2018
Results of the 6th National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health [2019]
Christopher M Fisher, Andrea Waling, Lucille Kerr, Rosalind Bellamy, Paulina Ezer, Gosia Mikolajczak, Graham Brown, Marina Carman and Jayne Lucke
QSOX Briefing Papers
QSOX Briefing Paper 1: LBQ Women and Alcohol
This briefing paper explores lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) women and non-binary people’s experiences of alcohol use over time. It highlights how drinking practices are shaped by social connection, identity, and coping, as well as by broader life circumstances such as relationships and stress. This resource provides insights to inform more inclusive and strengths-based alcohol policy, education, and support initiatives.
QSOX Briefing Paper 2: LBQ Women and Smoking
This briefing paper examines the social, emotional, and cultural dimensions of smoking among LBQ women and non-binary people. It shows that smoking often carries meanings of autonomy, resilience, and gender expression, while also being used to manage stress or trauma. The findings highlight the need for affirming, non-judgemental information and cessation supports that recognise identity, community, and lived experience.
QSOX Briefing Paper 3: LBQ Women and Vaping
This briefing paper investigates how vaping features in LBQ women and non-binary people’s lives as a practice tied to identity, pleasure, and coping. It reveals that vaping can be both affirming and challenging, offering comfort and community connection while sometimes leading to dependence or shame. The paper offers recommendations for culturally responsive vaping policy, education, and harm reduction strategies.
QSOX Practice Guide: Supporting LBQ women and non-binary people with alcohol, tobacco and nicotine use
This practical guide translates findings from the QSOX study into practical strategies for alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) services and health professionals. It outlines inclusive, trauma-informed, and identity-affirming approaches to support clients’ diverse goals around substance use. The guide is designed to help services create safer, more responsive environments for LBQ women and non-binary people seeking care.
QSOX Briefing Papers
QSOX Briefing Paper 1: LBQ Women and Alcohol
This briefing paper explores lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) women and non-binary people’s experiences of alcohol use over time. It highlights how drinking practices are shaped by social connection, identity, and coping, as well as by broader life circumstances such as relationships and stress. This resource provides insights to inform more inclusive and strengths-based alcohol policy, education, and support initiatives.
QSOX Briefing Paper 2: LBQ Women and Smoking
This briefing paper examines the social, emotional, and cultural dimensions of smoking among LBQ women and non-binary people. It shows that smoking often carries meanings of autonomy, resilience, and gender expression, while also being used to manage stress or trauma. The findings highlight the need for affirming, non-judgemental information and cessation supports that recognise identity, community, and lived experience.
QSOX Briefing Paper 3: LBQ Women and Vaping
This briefing paper investigates how vaping features in LBQ women and non-binary people’s lives as a practice tied to identity, pleasure, and coping. It reveals that vaping can be both affirming and challenging, offering comfort and community connection while sometimes leading to dependence or shame. The paper offers recommendations for culturally responsive vaping policy, education, and harm reduction strategies.
QSOX Practice Guide: Supporting LBQ women and non-binary people with alcohol, tobacco and nicotine use
This practical guide translates findings from the QSOX study into practical strategies for alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) services and health professionals. It outlines inclusive, trauma-informed, and identity-affirming approaches to support clients’ diverse goals around substance use. The guide is designed to help services create safer, more responsive environments for LBQ women and non-binary people seeking care.
Automating safety and consent in digital dating culture: Negotiations of safety, risk and wellbeing
In the ARCSHS August Research & Practice Seminar, held on August 18 2021, Professor Kath Albury of Swinburne University reflects on the measures users of dating apps actually take to keep themselves safe, as compared to the public and media narratives about online safety.