Elimination ?entirely achievable?: Australia records lowest number of HIV cases since 1984

Australia has recorded the lowest number of new HIV diagnoses in a year since 1984, but doctors are concerned a high proportion of people are being diagnosed late in their infection.

Data published by the Kirby Institute on Wednesday shows 633 HIV cases were recorded in 2020, a substantial drop from the 901 diagnoses in 2019.

Cases have been declining in Australia since 2015 thanks to a combination of prevention measures, treatment and testing, though experts believe the particularly stark drop last year is due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The epidemiologist Dr Skye McGregor, who heads the Kirby Institute's public health surveillance innovation group, said with social restrictions in place "people have been having less sex and were less likely to go and get tested".

"There has also been less travel in and out of Australia," she said. "Nevertheless, these low numbers are good news and should be celebrated."

The chief executive of the Australian Federation of Aids Organisations, adjunct professor Darryl O'Donnell, said elimination was "entirely achievable with political will and investment".

"It will deliver a remarkable health achievement while also saving taxpayers billions of dollars in long-term costs," he said.