The Australian Government has announced its commitment to eliminating HIV transmission in Australia and addressing health disparities experienced by the LGBTIQA+ community. In the 2023-24 Budget, an additional $19.7 million will be invested to improve access to HIV testing, treatment, and information, including support for the HIV workforce and addressing other Blood Borne Virus (BBV) and Sexually Transmissible Infections (STI).
The investment includes expanding access to HIV treatment for people who are ineligible for Medicare, providing funding for the HIV Online Learning Australia program to provide up-to-date education and training for the HIV workforce, and additional support for BBV and STI peaks, including the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) and National Association of People with HIV in Australia (NAPWHA) to drive the national response.
This commitment is part of the implementation of the Eighth National HIV Strategy (2018-2022), which aims to end HIV transmission by 2030. The government's announcement of the HIV Taskforce in December 2022 will develop the Ninth National HIV Strategy, bringing Australia closer to achieving this goal.
The government is also developing a 10 Year National Action Plan for the Health and Wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people, which will establish an LGBTIQA+ Health Advisory Group to address the barriers faced by the community in accessing healthcare.
Leaving no one behind:
Leaving no community behind is critical to ending HIV in Australia and the world. The government's commitment to expanding access to HIV treatment for people who are ineligible for Medicare highlights the importance of this principle. By ensuring that everyone has access to HIV testing, treatment, and information, we can work towards ending HIV transmission and creating a more equitable society for all.
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