Everyone has the right to safe, healthy and thriving relationships with themselves and others
From 1 - 25 September 2026 we're celebrating UQ's third annual SEXtember, an initiative aiming to encourage sex-positive conversations about sex, sexuality, healthy relationships, sexual health and reproductive health.
Join UQ Respect for a month-long program of educational events and opportunities, including campus-specific Community Days jam-packed with fun activities and stallholders from across our community.
Please note: the full SEXtember 2026 program will be available very soon.
This SEXtember, prioritise your sexual wellbeing and make STI testing part of your regular health check. It’s quick, easy, free and confidential.
To make it even simpler, we're breaking STI testing into four steps:
Talk
Talk to your partners, peers, and health providers about sexual health, consent, and contraception.
Test
Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections is confidential, free, and accessible. Test regularly and between partners.
Treat
All Sexually Transmitted Infections are treatable and/or manageable. Talk to your healthcare provider about options.
Trace
if you test positive to a Sexually Transmitted Infection, let your partners know. There are resources to help you do this anonymously.
Rapid.org.au has partnered with UQ Respect and UQU SAS to provide free testing for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea.
Pain-free. Confidential. No needles. Same day results.
Bookings not required: simply walk in during open hours on selected dates to get tested for free.
- Results in 30 minutes
- Can be anonymous
- Confidential
- Finger-prick testing
- Pain free
- No booking required (but there is limited availability: first in, first served.)
- Available at St Lucia and Gatton campuses (specific dates for either campus)
SEXtember Community Days
Join us for the SEXtember Community Days! These campus-specific events are jam packed with fun activities and stallholders from across our community all dedicated to supporting and educating you about your sexual health and relationships.
St Lucia
Wednesday 2 September (11am-2pm)
Great Court, St Lucia
Great Court, St Lucia
Gatton
Wednesday 9 September (11am-2pm)
Central Walkway, Gatton
Central Walkway, Gatton
Herston
Thursday 17 September (11:30am-1:30pm)
Outside Café Dose, Herston
Outside Café Dose, Herston
Dutton Park
Monday 21 September (11:30am-1:30pm)
Inner Space, Dutton Park
Inner Space, Dutton Park
Wednesday 26 August (10 - 11:30am)
Global Change Institute Building
Join the 2026 Industry Challenge with UQ SEXtember and ASHM. Team up with fellow students, tackle real-world sexual health and wellbeing challenges, get mentored by industry experts, and pitch your solution for the chance to win prizes!
The Challenge starts with a kick-off session on the 26 August where you'll learn more about the Challenge, hear from a panel of our industry partners, and have the opportunity to meet other participants and form teams.
Global Change Institute Building
Join the 2026 Industry Challenge with UQ SEXtember and ASHM. Team up with fellow students, tackle real-world sexual health and wellbeing challenges, get mentored by industry experts, and pitch your solution for the chance to win prizes!
The Challenge starts with a kick-off session on the 26 August where you'll learn more about the Challenge, hear from a panel of our industry partners, and have the opportunity to meet other participants and form teams.
Various days: September 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 (9.30am-3pm)
UQU Student Advocacy & Support (SAS), Building 21A, Level 4
Rapid.org.au has partnered with UQU SAS to provide free testing for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea. Pain-free. Confidential. No needles. Same day results. Bookings not required: simply walk in during open hours on any of the below dates to get tested for free. Spots are limited however, first in first served.
UQU Student Advocacy & Support (SAS), Building 21A, Level 4
Rapid.org.au has partnered with UQU SAS to provide free testing for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea. Pain-free. Confidential. No needles. Same day results. Bookings not required: simply walk in during open hours on any of the below dates to get tested for free. Spots are limited however, first in first served.
Wednesday 9 September (Times to be confirmed)
Central Walkway, Gatton
Rapid.org.au has partnered with UQU SAS to provide free testing for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea. Pain-free. Confidential. No needles. Same day results. Bookings not required: simply walk in during open hours on selected dates to get tested for free.
Central Walkway, Gatton
Rapid.org.au has partnered with UQU SAS to provide free testing for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea. Pain-free. Confidential. No needles. Same day results. Bookings not required: simply walk in during open hours on selected dates to get tested for free.
Tuesday 15 September, (6-7pm)
Online
Join sexologist Naomi Hutchings and a panel of experts for the queer sex education session you've been waiting for! We'll be answering all of your burning questions about queer sex, sexuality, gender identity, sexual health and relationships! Click the link below to submit your question anonymously and join us to hear it answered live! Registrations essential for this exciting online Q&A session.
Online
Join sexologist Naomi Hutchings and a panel of experts for the queer sex education session you've been waiting for! We'll be answering all of your burning questions about queer sex, sexuality, gender identity, sexual health and relationships! Click the link below to submit your question anonymously and join us to hear it answered live! Registrations essential for this exciting online Q&A session.
Wednesday 23 September (5-7pm)
RedRoom, St Lucia Campus
Yes, you heard that right - FREE Drag Trivia as part of SEXtember. Come as you are and connect with the UQ community, test your knowledge around queer history, sexual and reproductive health and healthy relationships, grab a bite to eat, and win some cool prizes!
RedRoom, St Lucia Campus
Yes, you heard that right - FREE Drag Trivia as part of SEXtember. Come as you are and connect with the UQ community, test your knowledge around queer history, sexual and reproductive health and healthy relationships, grab a bite to eat, and win some cool prizes!
Wednesday 2 September
11am–2pm
Clothing that fits us, affirms our gender or idenity and makes us feel like ourselves can really change to the way we turn up to work, to class and in our broader lives and communities. In recognition of Wear It Purple Day 2026, the UQ Ally Network will be be hosting a suitcase rummage on Wednesday 2 September for our whole community. Payments will be accepted as a donation to the UQ LGBTIQA+ Scholarship in a 'choose how much you pay' system, meaning anyone can participate on the day.
11am–2pm
Clothing that fits us, affirms our gender or idenity and makes us feel like ourselves can really change to the way we turn up to work, to class and in our broader lives and communities. In recognition of Wear It Purple Day 2026, the UQ Ally Network will be be hosting a suitcase rummage on Wednesday 2 September for our whole community. Payments will be accepted as a donation to the UQ LGBTIQA+ Scholarship in a 'choose how much you pay' system, meaning anyone can participate on the day.
Wednesday 9 September
11am–2pm
Clothing that fits us, affirms our gender or idenity and makes us feel like ourselves can really change to the way we turn up to work, to class and in our broader lives and communities. In recognition of Wear It Purple Day 2026, the UQ Ally Network will be be hosting a suitcase rummage on Wednesday 9 September for our whole community. Payments will be accepted as a donation to the UQ LGBTIQA+ Scholarship in a 'choose how much you pay' system, meaning anyone can participate on the day.
11am–2pm
Clothing that fits us, affirms our gender or idenity and makes us feel like ourselves can really change to the way we turn up to work, to class and in our broader lives and communities. In recognition of Wear It Purple Day 2026, the UQ Ally Network will be be hosting a suitcase rummage on Wednesday 9 September for our whole community. Payments will be accepted as a donation to the UQ LGBTIQA+ Scholarship in a 'choose how much you pay' system, meaning anyone can participate on the day.
SEXtember Book Club
The UQ Respect team have put together a list of books to help you learn at your own pace with some fantastic resources about sex, sexuality, pleasure and more!
- Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski
- Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections by Emily Nagoski
- The Modern Guide to Sex by Georgia Grace
- Slutdom: Reclaiming shame free sexuality by Hilary Caldwell
- Taboo: Conversations we never had about sex, body image, work and relationships by Hannah Fergason
SEXtember Podcast Recommendations
Make the most of a long commute or listen during the and listen to a fun and informative podcast
- 28ish Days Later
- Come As You Are
- The Hook Up
- The Guilty Feminist
- Life Uncut Podcast
- Doing IT: Sexual Health Podcast
- Sex Ed With DB
- Men, Sex & Pleasure with Cam Fraser
TV recommendations
Sometimes it's nice to relax and enjoy the escapism of your new favourite TV show! The media we consume can shape the way we feel about sex, relationships, sexuality and even ourselves, so it's important to find content we like while also prioritising our mental health.
The UQ Respect team have put together a list of their television program recommendations for your SEXtember viewing, including hilarious comedies, fun romances, and informative documentaries:
Physical and Mental Health Resources
Cervical cancer is preventable-- learn more about cervical screening test and the options available to you.
The Cervical Screening Test (previously the Pap smear) checks for the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common infection that can lead to cervical cancer. Even if you’ve had the HPV vaccine, it’s still important to get regular Cervical Screening Tests. The vaccine doesn’t protect against all types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer. Over 70% of cervical cancers happen in people who have never screened or aren’t up to date with their screening.
The Cervical Screening Test (previously the Pap smear) checks for the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common infection that can lead to cervical cancer. Even if you’ve had the HPV vaccine, it’s still important to get regular Cervical Screening Tests. The vaccine doesn’t protect against all types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer. Over 70% of cervical cancers happen in people who have never screened or aren’t up to date with their screening.
Complete free training aimed to support workers in non-clinical roles who are NOT providing medical, clinical or therapeutic eating disorder treatment.
This training is designed to help you have a better understanding of eating disorders. have the appropriate language to assist clients and be able to break down eating disorder stigma in the community.
This training is designed to help you have a better understanding of eating disorders. have the appropriate language to assist clients and be able to break down eating disorder stigma in the community.
September 4 is World Sexual Health Day and this year's theme is "Sexual Justice: What Can We Do?"
Sexual justice exists when all people have the power and resources to make free and healthy decisions about their bodies, sexuality, and reproduction, and have equal access to sexual health services, including education and care. Sexual justice means building a world where everyone can experience sexual health, rights, and pleasure, free from discrimination, violence, or exclusion. Find out more about what you can do to help alongside resources like Conversation Decks, Participation Guides and more.
Sexual justice exists when all people have the power and resources to make free and healthy decisions about their bodies, sexuality, and reproduction, and have equal access to sexual health services, including education and care. Sexual justice means building a world where everyone can experience sexual health, rights, and pleasure, free from discrimination, violence, or exclusion. Find out more about what you can do to help alongside resources like Conversation Decks, Participation Guides and more.
Student Health and Wellbeing at UQ
Follow us on social media to keep up to date with these exciting events!
@UQLife Instagram
@UQLife Facebook
UQ would like to acknowledge UNSW for their pioneering work to establish SEXtember in 2019,
creating a space to normalise sex-positive conversations and increase sexual health awareness at universities in Australia
UQ acknowledges and thanks Allianz Care Australia for sponsoring this event
