AFAO Media Release | 27 September 

New data released on 27 September in the 2011 Annual HIV Surveillance Report shows that HIV infections in Australia continue to plateau at around 1,000 new infections per year.

"Australia's HIV infection rates have been running a little above 1000 cases per year since 2006" says Rob Lake, Executive Director of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO). "Australia now needs to move beyond this plateau and decrease infection rates."

"As a signatory to the UN Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, Australia has committed to a goal of a 50% reduction in new HIV infections by 2015. Containing the Australian epidemic at about 1,000 new infections a year is a significant achievement, but it's time to focus on reducing infection rates. This target would mean we'd be taking our UN commitment seriously; a 50% reduction in annual diagnoses would represent the lowest ever rate of HIV infection in Australia since the beginning of the epidemic."

To get there, governments, health services, communities and individuals need to redouble their efforts. Easier access to HIV testing for those most at risk will be needed, as will increased investment in HIV prevention programs that have proven effective. Innovation in our approaches and targeting of safe sex messages is also needed to respond to changes in how gay men use online and other media.

"The Australian government has recently revised the National HIV Testing Policy, which now opens the door for the use of point of care or 'rapid' HIV testing. Overseas experience has shown that when rapid (an initial result within an hour) HIV testing is offered, testing rates increase, and many people who have never previously tested present for testing," Mr Lake said.

"Gay men remain the group most at risk of HIV in Australia, and although many Australian gay men get tested for HIV regularly, there is clearly still room for improvement if we are to take the 50% reduction goal seriously."

"Australian testing guidelines currently recommend that most gay men and other men who have sex with men should get tested at least twice a year, but we are a long way from achieving that.  To get there, we need to make testing more convenient. Introducing rapid HIV testing will help us do that, but it will require funding support and a willingness to change how health services are delivered."

"AFAO is also concerned about the number of people becoming infected with HIV while travelling overseas, for either work or holiday. Practising safe sex and testing for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) following any unsafe behaviour is important for all Australians", said Lake, who noted that the Surveillance Report also shows that there were big increases in chlamydia and gonorrhoea diagnoses in 2010. "Many people who have STIs will not notice symptoms, so regular sexual health checks are vital for everyone who is sexually active."

Media Comment: Rob Lake 0421 040 538