Understanding young people’s preferences and motivations for partner notification can help to reduce the risks of STIs. Our survey of young people aged 15–29 years in Victoria, Australia, found that most want to notify and be notified by partners, regardless of age, gender or sexual identity, and prefer to notify regular partners face-to-face and casual partners via text message. Tailoring resources by communication method and partner type can support young people in undertaking this important step in STI control.