School leavers: Let's talk about sex
School leavers: Let's talk about sex
20 November 2025
Young Western Australians are being urged to take simple steps to protect their sexual health during Leavers week which runs from 24 to 27 November.
Leavers is a chance for the class of 2025 to celebrate and have fun – but it’s also important for them to think about safety and looking after themselves and their friends.
Parents are encouraged to have open conversations with their teenagers about making informed choices, especially when alcohol or drugs may be involved. Talking about respect, consent, contraception, sexually transmissible infections (STIs), condoms and where to go for help can empower young people to make safer decisions.
To help 17 to18-year-olds stay safe during Leavers, 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 during the 2025 Dunsborough Leavers Week, helping make condoms more accessible and encouraging safer sex.
Young people aged 15 to19 remain one of the highest age groups for gonorrhoea and chlamydia in WA.
For young people: Learn more and get the facts (external site).
Get a free online STI test (external site) (no Medicare required).
For parents and families: Talk Soon, Talk Often (external site).