Quick answer
- Sexual Health Victoria says external condoms come in latex and non-latex materials, with different sizes available.
- Sexual Health Victoria says use water-based or silicone-based lube with external condoms, and keep oil away from latex.
- Healthdirect says keep condoms in a cool place and use them before the expiry date.
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Types of condoms
Healthdirect describes external and internal condoms, also called male and female condoms. Healthdirect says you must not use an external and internal condom at the same time.
Sexual Health Victoria describes an external condom as a thin pouch, usually made of latex rubber, with polyurethane plastic and polyisoprene synthetic rubber alternatives. Sexual Health Victoria says it goes on an erect penis or a sex toy before contact.
Sexual Health Victoria describes the internal condom as a soft pouch made of nitrile, with a flexible ring at each end, while Healthdirect says polyurethane. Sexual Health Victoria says an internal condom is inserted into the vagina or anus before sex and can be inserted hours beforehand. For instructions, Sexual Health Victoria points you to the pack.
How well do condoms work?
Sexual Health Victoria says external condoms are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly every time. With incorrect use, slips or breaks, Sexual Health Victoria says effectiveness can fall to 88%.
For internal condoms, Sexual Health Victoria gives 95% effectiveness with correct use every time, falling as low as 79% with incorrect use, slips or breaks. Healthdirect expresses correct-use pregnancy chances as about 2 in 100 for external condoms and 5 in 100 for internal condoms.
Healthdirect says condoms are the only type of contraception that can reduce STI risk. Healthdirect says they protect against many STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhoea and HIV, but cannot protect against herpes, genital warts, mpox or syphilis.
The Australian Government's Beforeplay explains that condoms cannot protect against infections spread through skin-to-skin contact. Beforeplay says hormonal contraception, such as the pill, does not protect against STIs, so you still need a condom for STI protection when using other contraception.
Beforeplay also recommends regular testing and testing before starting sex with a new partner. Our sexual wellness page offers related reading.
Latex allergy and non-latex options
Sexual Health Victoria says some people are allergic to latex and non-latex external condoms are available. Healthdirect advises using non-latex condoms if you have a latex allergy.
Sexual Health Victoria lists polyurethane and polyisoprene as external condom materials alongside latex. Use those material names when looking through the options, rather than choosing by the packaging design.
Healthdirect says condoms may cause irritation. Sexual Health Victoria says irritation can occasionally affect the vagina, penis or anus. If you have irritation or an allergy concern, follow the notice above and speak with a health professional.
Size and fit
Sexual Health Victoria says external condoms come in different sizes, and the wrong size can stop a condom working. Sexual Health Victoria has an online resource for finding the right fit on its external condom page.
Lube with condoms
Sexual Health Victoria says water-based or silicone-based lube can be used with external condoms. Sexual Health Victoria says lube reduces friction, helping prevent condoms from breaking, and advises checking the lube label.
Healthdirect says oil-based products, including petroleum jelly and massage oil, make latex condoms more likely to break. Sexual Health Victoria says oil can damage latex and increase the risk of pregnancy or STIs. Keep the massage oil guide separate from your choice of lube for condoms.
Internal condoms have different guidance. Sexual Health Victoria says they can be used with water-based, oil-based or silicone-based lube. Healthdirect says internal condoms already contain lubricant and any type can be added.
A toy adds another material to consider. Sexual Health Victoria says silicone-based lube cannot be used with silicone sex toys because it may damage the toy and increase the risk of transmitting STIs. Check the lube label, as Sexual Health Victoria advises, and consult our body-safe materials guide for related reading.
Storage, expiry and opening the packet
Healthdirect says keep condoms in a cool place and use them before the expiry date. Sexual Health Victoria says prolonged heat can stop external condoms working, giving a car glove box in summer as an example.
Sexual Health Victoria also lists prolonged heat as a reason internal condoms might not work. If you're deciding where to keep your supply, use Healthdirect's cool-place advice.
Sexual Health Victoria says to check the condom expiry date for both types. Make that a packet check, rather than relying on when you remember buying the box.
Open carefully. Sexual Health Victoria says tearing a condom while opening its packet can stop it working, for both external and internal condoms. Sexual Health Victoria also says certain vaginal medications can affect external condoms and advises checking with a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
For an external condom, Sexual Health Victoria says to squeeze the tip to remove air and roll it all the way down. For an internal condom, Sexual Health Victoria says to follow the instructions on its pack, and use more lube if it slips or bunches up.
Condoms and sex toys
Healthdirect says condoms can be used with sex toys, and Sexual Health Victoria says an external condom can go over a toy before contact. Sexual Health Victoria says to use a new condom every time, including when switching from one kind of sex to another.
Beforeplay advises avoiding shared sex toys and washing them thoroughly each time. Beforeplay also says condoms and dental dams must never be reused.
Read our toy cleaning guide alongside your toy's instructions. If you're considering couples toys, keep Sexual Health Victoria's advice about silicone lube and silicone toys in mind when choosing your lube.
Where to get condoms in Australia
Sexual Health Victoria lists supermarkets, pharmacies and petrol stations as places to get external condoms. Healthdirect also lists online stores and sexual health clinics. Sexual Health Victoria says you do not need a prescription.
For free condoms, Sexual Health Victoria says some clinics, youth services and community health services provide them. Sexual Health Victoria says its own clinics give free external condoms. Ask your local service about availability rather than assuming every clinic supplies them.
Internal condoms may take more searching. Sexual Health Victoria says they can be difficult to get and more expensive than external condoms, with possible suppliers including family planning clinics and sex shops, some pharmacies and online stores. Healthdirect also lists some women's health clinics and says no prescription is needed.
For shopping-related reading, use our guide to online adult stores in Australia. If plain packaging matters to you, read our discreet delivery guide and check the retailer's stated arrangements before ordering.
If a condom breaks or slips
Healthdirect says condoms do not work if they break or slip. Healthdirect says emergency contraception is available from pharmacies and can be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after sex.
Healthdirect advises talking to a doctor about STI testing after a condom breaks or comes off. Sexual Health Victoria also identifies STI and blood-borne virus testing after sex without a condom, and says emergency contraception may be needed.
Healthdirect says PEP can lower the chance of HIV infection. Sexual Health Victoria identifies PEP as an option if you are concerned about HIV after sex without a condom. Speak with a GP, pharmacist or sexual health clinic about the relevant next step for you.
How to dispose of a condom
Sexual Health Victoria says external and internal condoms are single use and belong in the bin, never the toilet. For a used external condom, Sexual Health Victoria advises wrapping it in tissue before throwing it away.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get free condoms?
Sexual Health Victoria says some clinics, youth services and community health services provide free external condoms. Sexual Health Victoria also says its own clinics supply them free.
What non-latex condoms are available?
Sexual Health Victoria lists polyurethane and polyisoprene external condoms as alternatives to latex. Healthdirect advises non-latex condoms if you have a latex allergy.
Can I use massage oil with a latex condom?
Healthdirect says you should not use oil-based products such as massage oil or petroleum jelly with latex condoms because they make breakage more likely. Sexual Health Victoria says water-based or silicone-based lube can be used with external condoms.
Can I use an internal condom with an external condom?
Healthdirect says you must not use both at the same time. Sexual Health Victoria says to use a new condom every time, for either type.
Can I use a condom past its expiry date?
Healthdirect says to use condoms before their expiry date. Sexual Health Victoria lists being past expiry as a reason either an external or internal condom might not work.