AFAO's work focuses on:

• Providing HIV policy advice to national government and to the community, particularly on implementation of the Sixth National HIV Strategy, and complementary aspects of the Second Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy and the Third National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sexually Transmissible Infections and Blood Borne Viruses Strategy
• Representing our member organisations and the HIV community sector on national HIV policy-making and advisory bodies
• Designing, devising and coordinating innovative national HIV prevention, positive education and health promotion campaigns
• Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to develop targeted, culturally appropriate resources regarding sexual health
• Developing strategic policy responses and interventions in the international HIV epidemic, particularly in the Asia Pacific region
• Providing assistance and support to community groups and regional NGO networks in the Asia Pacific region
• Promoting and participating in the ethical development and trialling of HIV vaccines and microbicides
• Contributing, in collaboration with member organisations and research partners, to building evidence for an effective community response to HIV.

Our funding is chiefly from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing; other sources include AusAID, the AIDS Trust of Australia and private donations.

AFAO's work is directed primarily towards communities where there is a higher prevalence of HIV and groups at greater risk of contracting the virus. This includes the groups identified as priority populations in the Sixth National HIV Strategy: people living with HIV (PLHIV), gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) communities, people from (or who travel to) high prevalence countries, sex workers, people in custodial settings, and people who inject drugs. Our focus is on capacity building, health promotion, and the reform of laws and policies impacting on HIV prevention and the care and support of people living with HIV.

AFAO's key health promotion activities are:

• developing and disseminating policy briefing papers and discussion papers on pertinent HIV prevention and health promotion issues;
• coordinating and undertaking information and policy analysis, and providing advice to the staff of AFAO's and NAPWA's member organisations on best practice in health promotion and adult learning;
• developing HIV and STIs social marketing and health promotion campaigns and information-based resources targeting affected communities; and
• creating and coordinating workforce development opportunities that build on and enhance the capacity of the staff of AFAO's and NAPWA's member organisations.

AFAO's key policy advocacy activities are:

• identifying and monitoring key HIV related policy issues;
• providing briefings to federal and state/territory governments and their advisory bodies on HIV related issues;
• supporting member organisations by preparing briefings and discussion papers, and by facilitating informed consideration on how best to address key policy and law reform issues;
• coordinating, developing and preparing policy submissions;
• supporting the development and coordination of capacity building initiatives for community-based HIV organisations and networks in the Asia-Pacific region; and
• working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities regarding their HIV and sexual health needs.

AFAO's key international activities are:

• capacity development with communities and their organisations in advocacy, organisational development and governance, strategic planning and leadership;
• advocacy and policy analysis at the domestic, regional and global levels;
• support and mentoring for community organisations and leaders; and
• knowledge sharing.

Publications and resources

AFAO produces a range of publications and resources, including fact sheets, a 'best practice' Media Guide, e-bulletins and our flagship publication, HIV Australia. Browse our publications in the library.