Australia Commits $41.7 Million Towards 2030 HIV Elimination Goal

Government Bolsters HIV Elimination Drive

The Australian Government has pledged an additional $41.7 million over three years to accelerate the nation's progress towards its ambitious goal of eliminating HIV transmission by 2030. The announcement, made by Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Mark Butler MP, coincides with World AIDS Day, underscoring Australia's ongoing commitment to a world-leading HIV response.

This new investment is designed to strengthen current initiatives focused on increasing HIV awareness, prevention, testing, and treatment, particularly within under-serviced populations at higher risk of acquiring HIV.

Strategic Funding Allocation and Key Initiatives

The $41.7 million funding package includes specific allocations to key organizations and programs:

• $14.1 million will be directed to Health Equity Matters (HEM) and the National Association of People with HIV Australia (NAPWHA). This allocation will support HEM's national leadership, as well as activities related to HIV awareness, prevention, testing, and treatment. NAPWHA will utilize funds for its advocacy efforts on behalf of people affected by HIV.
• $27.6 million is earmarked for a range of community-led initiatives. These include training for health professionals who engage with recently arrived and overseas-born individuals at risk of HIV.
• The funding will also facilitate the expansion of the national network of vending machines that dispense free HIV self-test kits, known as the CONNECT program, which is expected to distribute thousands of tests annually.
• Furthermore, NAPWHA's initiative for home delivery of HIV self-test kits will be extended, aiming to provide up to 24,000 tests each year to over 6,000 people at risk of HIV transmission.

Context of Australia's HIV Response

Australia has long been recognized as a global leader in its response to HIV, largely due to a strong partnership between successive governments and the HIV community sector. This latest funding reinforces the objectives of the Ninth National HIV Strategy 2024–2030, which outlines a vision for Australia to virtually eliminate HIV transmission. The strategy aims for a 90% reduction in new diagnoses since 2010.

Currently, an estimated 30,010 people are living with HIV in Australia. Key targets under the Ninth National HIV Strategy include increasing the proportion of people living with HIV who are diagnosed to 98% by 2030, sustaining or increasing the proportion of those diagnosed and on treatment to 98% by 2030, and ensuring that over 98% of those on treatment have an undetectable viral load by 2030.

Dash Heath-Paynter, CEO of Health Equity Matters, commended the investment, stating, 'The Minister is right that Australia can be the first country to achieve virtual elimination of HIV transmission. This $41.7 million investment in community-led programs, expanded testing access, and support for under-serviced populations shows the kind of comprehensive, evidence-based approach that will get us there.'

Building on Previous Commitments

This investment follows a previous commitment of $43.9 million announced in May 2024, which included $26 million to provide subsidized access to Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for individuals in Australia not eligible for Medicare. The recommendations of the HIV Taskforce, established in 2023 and chaired by Minister Butler, have guided these strategic investments. The Taskforce's report, published in November 2023, provided advice on HIV prevention, testing, treatment, awareness, decriminalization, destigmatization, and partnership.