Shoppers of data and health planners are waking up to the needs of bi+ Australians after a landmark national survey; it shows who is most at risk, where services fall short, and what small changes could make sexual health care more inclusive.

  • Big sample: The study surveyed more than 2,100 bi+ people, giving the clearest national picture yet of sexual health, relationships and health‑service experiences.
  • High engagement, low fit: Nearly nine in ten bi+ respondents had used sexual health services, but half didn’t feel comfortable discussing sexual health and only one in six received bi+‑specific information.
  • Disparities by gender: Cis bi+ women and trans/nonbinary bi+ people report much higher sexual violence and mental‑health distress; cis bi+ men report lower service engagement and visibility.
  • STI rates and distress: Around 36% had an STI diagnosis, more than double general population estimates, and 28% met criteria for serious psychological distress.
  • Community matters: Feeling connected to bi+ spaces boosts willingness to seek care; however many people remain closeted at work and with family.

Opening the door: why this survey matters right now

This is the first national, community‑led study to focus specifically on bi+ Australians, and it lands with a sharp, human edge, people sounding tired of being invisible in both straight and gay spaces. The Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney worked with bi+ advisers to design a survey that captures the messy reality of modern sexual identities and relationships. According to the study, rich diversity sits alongside persistent harm: high levels of sexual violence, elevated STI diagnoses and poorer mental health compared with broader Australian figures.

Health services: people are there, but the system isn’t listening

It’s striking that so many bi+ people do access sexual health care, yet so few feel truly understood. Nearly nine in ten have seen sexual‑health services at least once, but only half felt comfortable talking about these issues. Clinics and LGBTQ+ services often still assume binary categories, gay or straight, so bi+ identities get sidelined. Practical fix: clinics can train staff to ask open, neutral questions about partners and identities and stock leaflets that explicitly reference bi+ experiences. That small change makes patients feel seen and more likely to come back.

Different experiences across genders , a nuanced view

The report teases out real differences: cis bi+ women report higher rates of illicit drug use, STI diagnoses and sexual violence, while trans and nonbinary bi+ respondents report the highest levels of poor mental health and violence. Cis bi+ men, meanwhile, are least connected to LGBTQ+ networks and least likely to disclose to clinicians, despite higher rates of casual sex reported. This isn’t one problem with one solution; it’s a cluster of issues that need gender‑sensitive approaches, targeted outreach for bi+ men, trauma‑informed support for women and trans‑inclusive mental‑health pathways.

Sexual violence and mental health: an urgent gap

The figures on sexual violence are frightening: almost two‑thirds of participants said they’d experienced sexual violence since age 18, more than four times the general population rate. Psychological distress was similarly elevated. These findings point to an urgent need for sexual‑violence services to recognise bi+ people as a priority group and to offer pathways that don’t require binary labels. For survivors and clinicians alike, that means accessible reporting options, trained counsellors who understand biphobia, and signposting to peer‑led supports where people can feel believed.

Community connection helps , here's how to build it

Many respondents said they felt most comfortable with other bi+ people, and that belonging increased the chance they’d seek relevant information and care. That’s a straightforward lever: boost visibility of bi+ groups, fund safe social spaces, and ensure LGBTQ+ events and services advertise bi+ inclusion explicitly. Employers and health services can contribute too, simple moves like inclusive workplace policies, out‑at‑work role models, and visible bi+ signage in clinics reduce isolation and make people more likely to access help.

It's a small change that can make every encounter feel safer and more useful.

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