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2024/25 FEDERAL BUDGET ANALYSIS
This briefing outlines measures announced in the Australian Government’s 2024/25 Budget, handed down 14 May
2024. In this paper, we highlight the budget measures that relate to the areas of HIV, Bloodborne Viruses (BBVs)
and others that are of particular interest to the communities of Health Equity Matters, including the continued
commitment to virtual elimination of HIV transmission through the response to HIV Taskforce recommendations.
The briefing draws on Treasury papers as well as analysis from other peak organisations. The budget papers can be
viewed in full here. This budget can be viewed in conjunction with the 2023-24 budget.
Key Points
● The Government is delivering $43.9 million to ensure better access to HIV testing, treatment and
information and strengthening its commitment towards virtual elimination of HIV transmission by 2023.
● The Government is delivering an additional $126.5 million to address blood borne viruses (BBBs) and
sexually transmissible infections (STIs).
● The budget strengthens Australia’s commitment to public health with funding to preventative care,
mental health, pandemic preparedness, Medicare Urgent Care Centres and medical research.
● The budget ensures continued management of health issues affecting First Nations and Papua New
Guinea communities.
The budget commits $43.9 million to rigorously pursue the virtual elimination of
HIV transmission
The initiatives below directly relate to the activities that address priorities identified in the HIV Taskforce Report
recommendations. The Government will:
1. Provide support to national peaks including Health Equity Matters and National Association of People
with HIV Australia (NAPWHA) to continue to drive the national response to HIV.
Investment: $3.7 million (over two years from 2024–25)
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Impact: Provides an opportunity to deliver the Government’s objectives to virtually eliminate HIV
transmission in Australia. It will allow the HIV peak organisations to deliver targeted strategies to support
members and continue offering guidance to the Government regarding HIV and other emerging issues.
2. Expand access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for people ineligible for Medicare.
Investment: $26.0 million (over two years from 2025–26)
Impact: Provides additional funding to support the access to PrEP for people ineligible for Medicare. This
measure alleviates the challenges many Medicare-ineligible people experience in accessing HIV prevention
measures.
3. Continue funding the HIV Online Learning Australia (HOLA) program to provide current education and
training to the HIV sector.
Investment: $2.1 million (over two years from 2024–25)
Impact: Allows for the continuation of HOLA, which enables Health Equity Matters and NAPWHA to
develop the skills and capabilities of the HIV community workforce.
4. Expand the implementation of CONNECT, the HIV testing vending machine initiative, nationally.
Investment: $3.8 million (over two years from 2024–25)
Impact: Improves accessibility to testing kits throughout Australia, which will increase the testing rates
among populations that might test infrequently or not at all. The machines dispense free Atomo HIV SelfTest kits once the person shares key details via a registered website via a QR code.
5. Continue funding the Emen8 website, a critical information hub for sharing HIV information.
Investment: $3.0 million (over two years from 2024–25)
Impact: Facilitates the continuation of Australia’s online sexual health and wellbeing initiative for gay,
bisexual and other men who have sex with men. Managed by ACON and Thorne Harbour Health, Emen8’s
content covers news, entertainment, travel, community events, culture, sex, and well-being.
6. Expand the national HIV self-test mail-out initiative.
Investment: $2.5 million (over two years from 2024–25)
Impact: Improves accessibility to HIV testing for individuals who might face barriers, such as a lack of local
testing services, stigma or privacy concerns. Free self-test kits are provided by NAPWHA.
7. Fund the development of workforce education and training pilot on HIV prevention.
Investment: $1.6 million (in 2024–25)
Impact: Delivered by our clinical partners, ASHM, this program builds the capacity of Australian GPs who
might not be overly familiar with sexual health services to prescribe PrEP to eligible populations.
8. Fund the establishment of a national HIV multicultural peer navigation program.
Investment: $1.0 million (in 2024–25)
Impact: Raises the awareness of HIV among recently arrived migrants and people who are born overseas,
especially gay and bisexual men, and helps link them into appropriate services.