Dating apps will feature a new sexual health campaign urging young Australians to get their “fun parts” tested amid a rise in sexually transmitted infections.

Health Minister Mark Butler launched the Beforeplay campaign on Sunday, which encourages people to do their part in stopping the spread of infections by getting tested regularly and practising safe sex.

The push comes in response to a rising number of infections, particularly syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia.

The nine-week campaign will appear on social media, Tinder and Grindr, and around universities, bars and clubs.

It encourages young people to book a check-up to “test part before the best part” or “checking your fun parts before the fun starts”.

Materials will also be translated for multicultural and First Nations audiences.

One in six Australians will get an STI in their lifetime.

The number of infectious syphilis cases in Australia more than doubled between 2015 and 2020, with more than 6000 people testing positive in the past 12 months.

If undetected, syphilis can have serious health impacts for pregnant women and their babies.

Mr Butler said it’s been almost 15 years since the last major STI awareness campaign was rolled out by the government.

“This is an important health issue, not a taboo topic,” he said.

“The Beforeplay campaign will help reduce the stigma around STI testing and prevention.”

Mr Butler said rates of infection are rising, particularly among people aged 20 to 34.

Testing can be as simple as taking a urine or blood sample and can be done at a GP, local sexual health clinic or community health centre.

-AAP