End stigma. Start respect
1 December is World AIDS Day.
HIV is an issue in Queensland and it affects every community. In 2025, 164 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in Queensland (Notifications of BBVSTIs in Queensland: 1 January–31 December 2025), and late diagnosis is a key challenge.
The most recent Queensland Health annual report, HIV in Queensland—2024, shows that 35 per cent of new HIV cases in Queensland were late or advanced diagnoses, indicating significant immune damage at the time of diagnosis. Late diagnosis is not simply about individual risk behaviour; access barriers including languages barriers, fear, stigma, low awareness of prevention options and limited connection to health services all play a part.
For multicultural communities, stigma can be especially hard to overcome.
Fear of judgment from family, friends or community can delay testing and treatment. That is why this year’s theme, “End stigma. Start respect”, puts respect at the forefront. Respect means no one should feel ashamed to ask about HIV, to get a test, or to start treatment.
Everyone should know some basic facts about HIV. HIV can be treated and managed like other long-term health conditions. A person living with HIV who has an undetectable viral load cannot pass the virus on through sex—this is known as U=U, Undetectable equals Untransmittable.
HIV is transmitted through blood, sexual contact, and from mother to child. Prevention includes avoiding contact with blood, using condoms, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). Early testing saves lives, and effective treatment allows people living with HIV to live long, healthy lives.
Free treatment and confidential support are available for everyone in Queensland, regardless of Medicare status. Testing is available through GPs, sexual health clinics and Rapid Clinic, and free HIV self-testing kits can be ordered online at www.hivtest.au.
People without a Medicare card, including temporary visa holders, can still get free HIV treatment and care at public sexual health clinics or hospitals. The Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) provides free translated resources and education sessions in multiple languages (www.eccq.com.au/bbv).
On 1 December, the message for Queensland’s multicultural communities is simple: respect starts with each of us. Stop stigma and get tested!
ECCQ’s Love Health Program is funded by Queensland Health. ECCQ is accredited by QIP and meets QIC standards.
