Australia is on the verge of significant progress in the battle against HIV, marking a potential end to the virus’s transmission. After four decades since HIV screening was introduced in the country, new data from the Kirby Institute at the University of NSW reveals a remarkable decline in diagnoses. In 2024, Australia reported only 757 cases, a reduction of 53 percent among individuals born in Australia over the past decade.
Despite this encouraging trend, the overall decline was moderated to 27 percent when accounting for individuals born overseas, who did not experience the same decrease in diagnoses. Though the long-term trajectory is downward, there has been a slight uptick in cases over the past two years. Experts attribute this rebound to increased testing and a shift in behaviors following the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than a reversal of the overall decline.
Community Leadership and Support Drive Progress
Dash Heath-Paynter, CEO of Health Equity Matters, emphasized the importance of community involvement and political backing in Australia’s HIV response. “We’ve had great success in reducing HIV in Australia over the past decade driven by strong community leadership and rock solid political leadership,” he stated. Heath-Paynter highlighted that Australia is now closer than ever to achieving the virtual elimination of HIV transmission, a stark contrast to the epidemic’s early years.
The first case of AIDS was documented in 1982, and screening programs commenced in 1985. New diagnoses peaked in 1987 before a swift decline initiated by awareness campaigns and needle and syringe programs. However, the progress has not been uniform across all demographics.
Addressing Disparities and Late Diagnoses
Heath-Paynter pointed out that nearly one in three new cases in 2024 were late diagnoses, indicating that many individuals had lived with HIV for years before detection. “Late diagnosis is a major concern,” he explained, as it delays treatment and increases the risk of serious health issues. “Making HIV testing easier and more accessible, including self-testing, is essential so people can know their status and connect with care.”
To facilitate this goal, the federal government announced a commitment of almost $44 million last year, with approximately $26 million allocated to subsidizing pre-exposure prophylaxis for those not eligible for Medicare. New awareness campaigns, free HIV test vending machines, expanded mail-out programs for self-testing kits, and workforce training for health professionals are also part of the initiative.
Additionally, Australia has endorsed the “U=U” principle—an acronym for “Undetectable equals Untransmissible.” This principle asserts that individuals with HIV who maintain an undetectable viral load through effective treatment cannot transmit the virus sexually.
While the data regarding HIV is encouraging, other sexually transmissible infections (STIs) are on the rise. Diagnoses of syphilis and gonorrhoea have more than doubled in the past decade, with chlamydia remaining the most prevalent STI, exceeding 100,000 cases in 2024 and showing an increase of nearly 18 percent over ten years. Dr. Skye McGregor, an epidemiologist and lead researcher at the Kirby Institute, expressed concern over these trends, stating, “Early testing, diagnosis and treatment prevents serious outcomes.”
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to be disproportionately affected by STIs, with syphilis rates more than five times higher than those among non-Indigenous Australians. While HIV notification rates for First Nations people nearly halved between 2011 and 2021, disparities in access to care and the effectiveness of screening measures remain critical issues. Experts noted that the percentage of late or advanced diagnoses decreased from 46 percent to 29 percent during that period.
Despite the promising signs of progress, Scott Harlum, president of the National Association of People with HIV Australia, stressed the need for continued efforts. “Each of last year’s 757 diagnoses are individuals. There is a face and a name behind every piece of data,” he noted. Harlum emphasized the importance of lived experiences in understanding the complexities of HIV and the necessity for targeted responses to ensure ongoing declines in new cases.
With renewed focus and commitment, Australia stands at a pivotal point in its journey toward eliminating HIV transmission, making strides that were once considered unimaginable.
