AFAO's Policy and Communications team provides policy advice on HIV-related issues, and undertakes policy analysis and law reform advocacy regarding Australia's response to HIV. 

Key aspects of our policy program include:

• providing advice to government advisory bodies on human rights issues affecting people living with HIV and affected communities
• contributing to government legislative and policy development
• participating in relevant policy and research forums
• initiating policy development and law reform advocacy regarding emerging HIV-related prevention issues, and care and support issues faced by people living with HIV - all in the context of the priority actions set out in Australia's suite of five national blood borne virus (BBV) and STI strategies.
• working with member organisations and other stakeholders to build capacity and enhance understanding of HIV-related policy issues
• Developing and advocating strategic policy responses and interventions in the international HIV epidemic with a particular focus on the Asia/Pacific region
• Assisting 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

Our policy program is fundamentally linked to the principles and priorities of the Sixth National HIV Strategy. For information about some of our current policy work, see the advocacy portal.

AFAO promotes evidence-based policy responses to HIV and related issues and is represented on advisory committees of each of the national HIV research centres, and is on working groups for specific research projects.

The Policy and Communications Team produces submissions, reports and briefing papers to provide advice to government, and raise awareness of HIV-related policy issues. AFAO makes oral presentations and written submissions to federal parliamentary committees and sits on Commonwealth advisory bodies relating to domestic and regional HIV policies and programs. View listing of representatives.

The team also produces AFAO's flagship magazine, HIV Australia. Each edition of the magazine focuses on a particular HIV-related topic of relevance to our policy work, with articles from academics, community organisations and health providers.