Ending HIV transmission for all in our communities
- We provide up-to-date information and deliver innovative social marketing campaigns to our communities on a variety of sexual health issues.
- We develop peer-led prevention programs to reduce transmissions of HIV and other STIs in our communities.
- We improve access to testing with models that are responsive to the needs of our communities.
- We advocate for innovative responses to end HIV transmission and reduce STIs in Australia.
Summary Highlights
HIV Prevention
We’re here to engage and mobilise people in our communities to test often, treat early and stay safe. We develop and promote campaigns to build knowledge and skills, operate HIV and STI testing services, run HIV prevention and risk reduction community workshops, provide a range of support services and distribute hundreds of thousands of free safe sex packs every year throughout NSW.
Gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men (MSM) – the population group at most risk of HIV transmission – have consistently shown that they’re committed to ending HIV by adopting the use of tools and technologies such as PrEP and Undetectable Viral Load that will allow them to look after their health and that of their partners.
Results from the annual Sydney Gay Community Periodic Survey (SGCPS) shows HIV prevention coverage in NSW has grown significantly since 2014. Over time, the proportion of gay and bisexual men with casual partners using some form of prevention strategy – such as PrEP, undetectable viral load, condoms – increased from 72.2% in 2014 to 83.2% in 2023.
We know that PrEP is a proven biomedical tool in preventing HIV transmission and its use is at an all-time high in NSW. The SGCPS shows a rapid increase in PrEP use over time with PrEP becoming the most used HIV prevention tactic by gay and bisexual men with casual partners in 2019. The proportion of gay and bisexual men with casual partners who reported PrEP use and condomless anal intercourse was 47% in 2023 – the highest recorded in the SGCPS.
Combining PrEP with high HIV testing rates, wider reach and earlier uptake of treatment, continued condom use and utilisation of undetectable viral load give us the arsenal to move closer towards our goal of virtually eliminating new HIV transmissions in NSW by 2030.
Data from NSW Health shows that HIV diagnoses in NSW continued to decline from the levels reached prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, there were 231 diagnoses, which is 20% lower than the pre-pandemic period. Between January and June 2024, there were 124 people newly diagnosed with HIV, similar to the same period in 2023 (n=127).
Of the 231 HIV notifications in 2023, MSM accounted for 168 diagnoses; of these, 59 (35%) were Australian-born, a 37% drop compared to the pre-pandemic average. Both early-stage and late-stage diagnoses continue to decline among Australian-born MSM, with reductions of 20% and 38% respectively, compared to pre-pandemic averages.
The majority of HIV notifications were among people born overseas. In 2023, overseas-born MSM made up two thirds (109, 65%) of HIV diagnoses; though this was still 16% lower since the pre-pandemic period.
The majority of newly diagnosed MSM live in inner Sydney (56, 33%). For overseas-born MSM, 39% live in inner Sydney and 33% lived in Greater Western Sydney. In the pre-pandemic period 17% of overseas born MSM lived in Greater Western Sydney.
While we are seeing a reduction in the diagnoses of overseas-born MSM in other parts of Sydney, we are not seeing the same level of decline in HIV notifications among people born overseas in Greater Western Sydney. This means we need to continue to focus efforts so that no parts of NSW get left behind.
ACON will continue to work with NSW Health and our many partners to extend our programs and services to ensure we are reaching all populations at risk of HIV with appropriate and tailored education and resources on testing, prevention and treatment.
We commend the NSW Government for continuing to lead the way with their bold and innovative approach to the HIV response, and the ongoing dedicated work of our sector partners.
ACON’s award-winning community education and mobilisation initiative Ending HIV continues to educate gay, bisexual and other MSM on what they can do to help prevent new HIV transmission in NSW. Since its launch in 2013, we’ve improved our communities’ understanding on the importance of frequent HIV testing, the effectiveness of HIV prevention strategies such as PrEP, the benefits of starting HIV treatment early and having an undetectable viral load. This year, we have also been able to deliver important messages and information on other emerging health issues such as mpox.
This year, we had over 1.6 million users and, over its lifetime, accumulated more than 25,000 connections across our social media channels.
Efforts to end HIV transmissions in Australia will ramp thanks to new funding from the Australian Government. As part of the 2024 Federal Budget, the government announced $43.9 million to address HIV over the next two years, which includes $26 million to provide access to PrEP for Medicare ineligible people at risk of HIV – a significant investment in preventive health.
Funding will also bolster a range of HIV testing, PrEP uptake and educations programs, as well as other initiatives in relation to mental health and LGBTQ health that improve the quality of life of all people living with HIV.
Emen8, ACON’s national digital sexual health resource produced in partnership with Thorne Harbour Health, will receive further funding over two years to continue delivering vital health information for our communities. And new funding will also enable ACON to establish a national HIV multicultural peer navigation pilot program.
The funding is a significant commitment from the Federal Government. Several initiatives being implemented are informed by the National HIV Taskforce Report, which was released on 1 December 2023. The taskforce, established in 2023, comprises representatives from across different political parties, community peaks bodies such as Health Equity Matters and the National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS and others, as well as experts from ASHM, the Kirby Institute, Burnett Institute, and others. Several ACON staff have participated in activities related to the taskforce.
We acknowledge the Australian Government and, in particular, the Minister for Health Mark Butler and Assistant Minister for Health Ged Kearney, for their commitment and support to Australia’s HIV response.
Emen8 is our national digital HIV prevention and sexual health resource for gay, bisexual and other MSM, produced in partnership with Thorne Harbour Health. It is funded by the Australian Department of Health.
This year, Emen8 implemented key enhancements that enable it to amplify its reach. These include expanding its map to include all known S100 HIV treatment prescribers and all HIV self-test kit stockists nationally; introducing an interactive tool on identifying PrEP options; and maximising its footprint on Google and Instagram. Emen8 also produced two sexual health campaigns on testing and PrEP.
As well as HIV and sexual health, Emen8 produced content around mpox prevention and vaccinations, becoming a major information hub for GBMSM across Australia.
This year, Emen8 recorded 446,107 users and 946,854 pageviews.
A key area of focus for ACON in the coming year is extending the reach of our programs and services to all of our communities to include gay, bisexual and MSM in Greater Western Sydney and regional areas, people born overseas, and those from multicultural and migrant backgrounds. In 2025, we will be developing an awareness campaign that will present a contemporary view of HIV to ensure all our communities are equipped with the latest information on prevention, testing and treatment.
Read more about our work in HIV prevention at acon.org.au/what-we-are-here-for/hiv-prevention
HIV Campaigns
We’re here to develop and deliver innovative social marketing campaigns that engages our communities on HIV and sexual health.
ACON’s LET’S TEST campaign was developed to educate and motivate GBMSM to get tested, particularly those living in Greater Western Sydney and regional NSW. the campaign highlighted testing services outside inner-city areas with a particular focus on de-stigmatising testing, and connecting most at-risk groups to these services.
The approach was to speak differently to unique geographical areas and cultural backgrounds, particularly those born overseas or were culturally and linguistically diverse.
The primary message of LET’S TEST was tailored to specific geographical areas such as Bankstown, Parramatta or Newcastle. This ensured the campaign spoke directly to local communities.
The campaign design utilised bright colours and graphics, highlighting the supplementary message that HIV and STI testing is free, easy, and confidential.
For the campaign video, we enlisted seven community members to speak to their experiences with testing in their local area and the different ways of getting tested for HIV and STIs. These videos were designed specifically for TikTok and Instagram’s Reels to meet current trends in media consumption. A TV commercial was also created for cinema and YouTube.
In addition, we rolled out a variation of the campaign specifically speaking to First Nations communities with the message HEY MOB, LET’S TEST. This iteration was used at key events such as during National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC week.
The campaign was launched in February in the lead up to the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival and was implemented statewide across multiple channels including out-of-home, on public transport, in LGBTQ+ venues, cinema, radio, social media and dating applications.
Over a six-week period, the campaign was displayed on 496 out-of-home placements including billboards, digital panels, street posters and on public transport such as buses and trams. This included placements in priority areas across Greater Western Sydney, as well as Newcastle and Wollongong.
Reach of the campaign was broadened with visibility at events such as the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade and other events during the Mardi Gras season.
The main campaign video was shared across social media and in cinemas, including through Queer Screen’s Mardi Gras Film Festival. More than 150 advertisements ran across several radio channels. Printed resources and around 25,000 units of merchandise were distributed at events and partner venues including sexual health clinics, licensed LGBTQ bars and sex-on-premises venues.
An online evaluation survey collected feedback from 171 respondents across NSW. Respondents ranged from different gender identities, sexualities, ages, countries of birth and areas of residence. The survey found:
- 50% recalled having seen the campaign.
- 93% said the advertisements communicated messages effectively.
- 86% found the advertisements engaging.
- 97% said the campaign video was engaging.
HIV & Sexual Health
We’re here to help sexuality and gender diverse people in NSW take control of their sexual health by providing information and a range of support services including peer-run testing facilities for HIV and sexually transmitted infections; sex, health and relationship workshops; free condoms, safe sex packs and resources; and dedicated programs for young gay men, Asian gay men, sexually adventurous men, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
ACON’s Peer Education team continued to engage our communities on HIV prevention, sexual health, relationships, community connection and combatting stigma, recording over 2,800 interactions with community members throughout 2023-2024.
This year, Peer Education ran eight workshops, two forums and one joint forum with ACON’s SPARK program. Through these workshops, ACON’s Peer Education project reached 205 participants.
The project collaborated with several universities to deliver important health information and resources on campuses including the University of NSW’s Health Promotion unit, Western Sydney University, and the University of Sydney’s Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association and Law Society. In supporting Sydney University’s Law Society Queer Collective, the project collaborated with the NSW Health HIV and Related Programs team to create a pop-up testing event for students.
Peer Education was also heavily active during the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras period and across a range of community events spoke with over 700 attendees and distributed 450 safe sex packs.
ACON’s SPARK project continued to build on its suite of programs for young gay, bi+ and queer men with a range of workshops, forums and outreach initiatives. SPARK also implemented education initiatives that better engaged marginalised young LGBTQ+ people, particularly those living in Greater Western Sydney.
In 2023-2024, SPARK ran five workshops and two forums, collectively reaching 50 community members. These included Start Making Sense, Adult Themes and Art of Connection.
This year, SPARK undertook to enhance its education workshop for people from Middle Eastern backgrounds. The Start Making Sense: Middle Eastern Men workshop adopted a culturally safe approach with up-to-date and tailored HIV and sexual health information. The workshop drew positive feedback, scoring a 9.3 out of 10 satisfaction rating from its nine participants.
SPARK also engaged communities through outreach activities at UNSW SEXtember, Trikone’s Klub Karma, Koori Knockout, Parramatta Pride and Minus18 Queer Formal.
We continued to support gay, bi+ and queer men from Asian cultural backgrounds through a range of events and projects. The regular social and health promotion workshops and social gatherings, SocialisAsians and ConversAsians, continued to draw strong engagement. Along with outreach-based work, we reached 2,728 CALD community members and distributed 1,304 condoms across more than ten community events including Bar Bombay, FLAGCOM (the Filipino lesbian and gay community and friends), and VicWise ‘Networking across Cultures’.
The Asian Gay Men’s Project led the recruitment for the Gay Asian Men’s Survey, an important research project examining the behaviours of gay men from Asian cultural backgrounds on issues such as HIV and STIs, HIV treatment and the use of alcohol and other drugs. A key finding in the 2023 survey showed 90% of respondents had ever tested for HIV – an increase from 2021. Responses from the survey helps inform programs and services that improve the sexual health and wellbeing of Asian gay men.
This year, the project worked to establish and build ties with the Thai community. After establishing and developing a relationship with the Thai consulate in Sydney, we attended various consulate events to reach newly arrived community members from Thailand. This engagement has led to greater involvement with the Thai community across our programs and workshops. We also developed several in-language resources including around mpox, HIV and sexual health tailored for Thai-speaking communities.
Find out more about our work with Asian Gay, Bi+ & Queer Men here.
Engaging LGBTQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities remains a strong focus of our health promotion work. This year, the project supported several important community events to deliver vital health information and resources.
A key health message for ACON in the past year has been to reaffirm the importance of HIV and STI testing. To better reach LGBTQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, ACON’s major social marketing campaign LET’S TEST was adapted for community. That campaign – HEY MOB, LET’S TEST – was implemented in Sydney, Redfern, Newcastle and Lismore, and featured culturally-tailored messaging and resources.
Among the key events attended by the project include Koori Knockout Central Coast, ACON’s International Women’s Day at the Museum of Contemporary Art, National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.
During NAIDOC week, the project attended the Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service’s event at Redfern Community Centre and the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, where they had community conversations around the HEY MOB, LET’S TEST campaign.
For Mardi Gras, the project led the delivery of the First Nations Float at parade, and they partnered with BlaQ to host an after-event, which drew around 250 community members who received ACON health information and resources.
ACON is also continuing on its reconciliation journey. Read ACON’s Reconciliation Action Plan here.
ACON’s Sexperts program, delivered in partnership with sex-on-premises (SOPV) venues, provides sexual health promotion focusing on testing, HIV prevention and risk reduction. Sexperts are trained in HIV and sexual health knowledge, as well as other topics relevant to community health and wellbeing. Sexperts have a diversity of lived experiences and comprise diverse background with a number based in Greater Western Sydney and/or having CALD background. Over the year, Sexperts undertook 22 outreach sessions at SOPVs and engaged around 105 individuals.
Additionally, we had teams of Sexpert volunteers throughout the Mardi Gras festival period to distribute safe sex packs and campaign collateral at several parties. And we facilitated a workshop on SOPV etiquette and sexual health. The workshop was attended by 30 community members new to these venues, providing them with the knowledge to engage safely.
ACON’s M3THOD program continues to support the people who use drugs like crystal methamphetamine and GHB when having sex. The program delivered three workshops, supporting 30 clients seeking to learn how to party safely, change their relationship to ‘party and play’ or reduce the frequency of their drug use. A resource booklet was also produced to provide further information and support.
In collaboration with ACON’s Substance Support Counselling Service, the M3THOD team also devised a group program for people who use drugs who want to gain in-depth understanding of their drug use and make the changes that suit individual needs.
We’re incredibly proud of our collaboration with Western Sydney arts collective West Ball. Next year, we look forward to developing a new sexual health campaign that builds on our previous success with West Ball as we continue to highlight important sexual health messaging for LGBTQ+ communities and queer people of colour in Greater Western Sydney.
You can find out more about our work in sexual health at acon.org.au/what-we-are-here-for/sexual-health
HIV Testing
Getting people in our communities to test for HIV more often is vital to our efforts to ending HIV transmissions in NSW. Making testing easier and more accessible as well as educating gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men about the importance of testing regularly are important areas of focus for our approach to HIV prevention.
Our a[TEST] service, established in 2013, continue to offer community-based rapid HIV and STI screening at two sites in inner Sydney – a[TEST] Oxford Street and a[TEST] Surry Hills. This year, we recorded 6,580 occasions of service across both locations.
At specific hours in Surry Hills, we also provided an in-language Mandarin service with a[TEST] Chinese Clinic, which was set up in 2018 response to rising HIV notifications among overseas-born gay men in NSW.
As well as HIV and STI screening, clients at a[TEST] are given access to information and resources on HIV prevention strategies such as PrEP, PEP and undetectable viral load, as well as information on testing guidelines. The service also acts as an active referral pathway into other ACON services such as counselling, peer education workshops and more.
A review of a[TEST] found that between 2021 and 2023, the service recorded 17,212 visits, of which 67% (n=11,664) visits were unique, making it one of the most popular HIV testing facilities in NSW. Among the top reasons for using the service among clients were its free and convenient locations and the non-judgmental care provided by peers.
Importantly, data shows that a[TEST] is being attended by populations currently at highest risk of HIV transmission such as people born overseas or living in outer suburban Sydney. During 2021-2023, 47% of clients were born overseas, while 16% of unique visits were by clients from Local Health Districts beyond central and eastern Sydney. The high demand for the service underscores the future need for a[TEST] services in other areas of NSW.
We acknowledge the ongoing support of our clinical partner, the Sydney Sexual Health Centre. We extend our thanks to all our a[TEST] peers for their passion, commitment and hard work. And we thank our clients and community members for taking control of their health, and the health of their partners, by continuing to visit our a[TEST] sites.
To raise further awareness of HIV and STI testing and prompt gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men to get a sexual health screen, particularly those living outside inner-city areas, ACON implemented a large-scale social marketing campaign on HIV testing. The LET’S TEST campaign, highlighted testing services across various localities to reach distinct geographic and demographic audiences. The campaign was distributed in various media and channels including social media, outdoor media, video, online dating apps, print, cinema and radio.
During the Mardi Gras festival, a[TEST] partnered with Sydney Local Health District to promote HIV testing at the Pride Square in Newtown. Over several days, the LET’S TEST activation on King Street provided community members with information and resources on HIV testing and sexual health. Staff from a[TEST] distributed a range of resources including 600 safe sex packs and 40 HIV self-testing kits.
At Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, ACON’s parade entry showcased LET’S TEST and promoted our message on HIV testing to hundreds and thousands of viewers.
We continued to promote the importance of regular HIV and STI screening in digital spaces – over the course of the year, we recorded over 1.2 million online interactions around HIV and STI testing.
Crucial to meeting our goal of virtual elimination of HIV transmission is getting GSMSM in regional areas to test more often. Throughout the year, ACON continued efforts to engage our communities on HIV and STI testing through our regional offices and outreach service.
In Newcastle, ACON continued to collaborate with HNE Sexual Health to provide a free, drop-in HIV testing service. In 2023-2024, the bi-weekly clinics provided HIV testing to 419 clients. In Broken Hill, we hosted a rapid HIV testing pop-up clinic during the Broken Heel Festival. During HIV Testing Week, we partnered with Murrumbidgee and Southern NSW Local Health Districts on a forum on HIV testing, HIV prevention, PrEP and treatment options.
ACON continues to support initiatives that reduce barriers to HIV testing and make HIV testing more accessible.
MyTest is a NSW Health initiative that makes HIV self-testing kits available for free from vending machines in selected locations in NSW such as universities, sex-on-premises venues and LGBTQ+ venues.
Self-testing helps overcome key barriers some people experience when testing, such as fear of a positive result in the presence of a healthcare provider, avoiding screening due to privacy concerns or lack of access to sexual health services.
Providing more options for people to take control of their health is critical to ensuring more people regularly test for HIV.
In the coming year, we are working towards finding a permanent site for our a[TEST] service in Newtown in Sydney’s inner west, which was closed during COVID-19 pandemic. Providing our communities more testing options is key to getting people to test more.
You can learn more about HIV testing at endinghiv.org.au/test-often.
Mpox Prevention
We’re here to develop and implement strategies to inform and protect our communities against mpox.
ACON has been working closely with NSW Health, the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care and our other partners to stop the spread of mpox.
ACON is continuing to engage our communities on mpox, ensuring people have access to vital and up-to-date information and resources on prevention strategies, monitoring for symptoms and the importance of vaccinations.
Since mpox was first reported in Australia in 2022, notifications have remained low. However, we have seen an increase in mpox cases this year. From June to September 2024, there were over 400 diagnoses. In response, ACON developed a campaign – MPOX Rising – to raise awareness on mpox and encourage people to get vaccinated. The campaign has been implemented on key social media platforms and LGBTQ community media.
In support of efforts to get more people vaccinated against mpox, ACON has provided operational support to South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney Local Health District and Western Sydney Local Health District with pop-up vaccination sites at local community establishments, such as sex-on-premises venues. Trained peer volunteers have been on hand to support community members accessing these sites.
In the past year, we continued to deliver a suite of communications on mpox including:
-
- Tailored communications delivered through culturally relevant platforms including social media, hook-up apps and LGBTQ online news and media outlets
- Targeted social media communications encouraging vaccinations, monitoring for symptoms and transmission prevention strategies
- Extensive editorial coverage on key mpox issues through our national sexual health resource Emen8, delivered in partnership with Thorne Harbour Health
- Distribution of media releases and editorials from subject matter experts from ACON
- Working with our SOPV partners as well as licenced clubs and venues to ensure that information about mpox and vaccinations is displayed throughout the venues for their patrons.
- Participating in media conference and activities to disseminate vital mpox messages
In collaboration with NSW Health, we continued to participate in key departmental working groups to ensure the needs of our communities are represented and helps inform response strategies and measures. We acknowledge NSW Health for their continued leadership in ensuring the health and safety of our communities.
A key challenge in the mpox response is ensuring people remain vigilant and get vaccinated. In the coming year, ACON will be developing a new awareness campaign to encourage greater uptake of the mpox vaccine among our communities. The campaign will be developed under our sexual health digital resource Emen8 and will be rolled out nationally.
Learn more about our work on mpox prevention at aconhealth.org.au/mpox.
Our Focus Areas
