Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of infections. Only similar to 20% of the strains remain sensitive to penicillin. P-lactamase stable penicillins such as flucloxacillin form the mainstay of treatment of staphylococcal infection. Meticillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) are resistant to all P-lactam antibiotics. Glycopepticle antibiotics are effective against most MRSA strains but, in the last few years, isolates of MRSA that have reduced susceptibility to glycopepticles (glycopepticle-intermediate S. aureus) have been isolated. Some strains exhibit frank resistance to glycopepticles (vancomycin-resistant S. aureus). infections due to these strains are difficult to treat. This review summarises the therapeutic options for MRSA, glycopepticle-intermediate S. aureus and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus. Novel therapeutic strategies such as immunotherapy and vaccines are also discussed.