Our results suggest that the frequency of HIV testing decreases with age and that there are differential patterns of risk among age groups. When comparing infrequent (zero or one test in the last 2 years) and annual testers (two or three tests in the last 2 years), there was a significant association with the number of sexual, but not AI, partners in the previous 12 months. When comparing annual and frequent testers (at least four tests in the last 2 years), the reverse pattern was observed in that there was a significant association with the number of AI partners but not the total number of sexual partners. Both number of sexual partners and number of AI partners were significant when comparing infrequent and frequent testers. Having an STI in the previous 12 months was only significantly different between infrequent and frequent testers. Although somewhat complicated and inconsistent, this does suggest a patterning by sexual risk behaviour similar to findings from elsewhere, albeit using different measures of frequency (studies in the USA and Australia have measured inter‐test intervals, and repeat and return testing) 31, 32, 33. However, higher risk UAI was not associated with testing frequency. Indeed, only one‐quarter of men reporting higher risk UAI also reported the frequent testing recommended (up to every 3 months) for those at high risk of HIV infection. This difference between guidelines and actual practice has also been reported in Australia, where only 34% were found to meet the comprehensive STI and HIV testing recommendations for sexually active gay and bisexual men 13. In another Australian study, 6‐monthly re‐testing rates were only 15% among higher risk MSM 33.