Priority Actions
This document outlines key activities proposed for addressing gaps in Australia’s current response to HIV and Mobility. These priority actions complement existing national and state strategies and policies. Taking action on these priorities will assist in creating an optimal approach to HIV and mobility that is holistic and systematic. While we have identified priority actions, further work is required across a number of areas. A number of additional strategies are outlined in the Road Map.
The following priority actions sought to further operationalise the Australian response to HIV and mobility and future iterations of national and jurisdictional policies relating to HIV.
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Local solutions: Relevant jurisdictions to plan and implement state-specific responses to HIV in migrant and mobile populations
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Health literacy: Increase health literacy and know how to access combination prevention strategies available
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Test: Understand and reduce barriers to HIV testing and make new testing technologies widely available
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Treatment and prevention medication: Advocate for the inception of a policy mechanism to provide access to HIV treatment and PrEP for temporary visa holders who are ineligible for Medicare
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Inform: Harmonise surveillance data reporting for both migrant and mobile populations, including sexual behaviour, testing rates, notifications, treatment initiation and PrEP
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Evaluate: Develop core indicators to assess effectiveness of HIV programs for mobile and migrant populations
View the full Priority Actions document here.
Priority Actions
The first edition of the Road Map identified actions to be addressed within the timeframes of the Seventh
National HIV Strategy (2014-2017). At the conclusion of 2017, a number of strategies had not yet been
addressed, and new opportunities in prevention had also emerged.
Results from the 2015 and 2016 Interim Report Cards indicated gaps in the response to HIV and mobility. Further research, desktop and policy reviews, and discussion with the CoPAHM National Governance Group refined the development of a draft list of priority actions. This list was finalised following feedback from CoPAHM members and other relevant stakeholders online and during the 2017 ASHM Australasian HIV&AIDS conference, and subsequent discussions with the National Governance Group.
Where to next?
We envision this document to be a tool for continued discussion and action among stakeholders in the area
of HIV and mobility. It presents clear areas of concern regarding Australia’s response to HIV and mobility.
This is a shared challenge. It is essential that there is a commitment from the Australian Government and
state and territory governments, community-led organisations, peak bodies, clinical services, research
groups, and affected communities to work together to provide informed leadership, policy and coordinated
support. Progress towards these priority actions requires coordination and collaboration across jurisdictions. We
need a national collective to drive action, supported by local champions in each jurisdiction. Therefore, a whole of
government approach is critical.
You can get involved in the conversation in a variety of ways. Share this document with others, talk about
it, read the Road Map. Get involved in social media discussions via twitter #HIVMobile. Join the Community of Practice for Action on HIV and Mobility to progress action on advocacy, research, policy and practice.