Australia was one of the first countries to report Aids cases, but HIV incidence has been declining rapidly since 1984. The number of Aids-related deaths is also on the wane, partly because patients are surviving longer due to the introduction of antiretroviral therapy. Needle and syringe exchange schemes are also proving successful in preventing the disease among drug users.

People with HIV:	15,000
New HIV cases in 2002:	500
Deaths from Aids in 2002:	100
Children (under 15) with Aids by end of 2002	<200
Source: UNAIDS, 2002

Aids deaths in 2001
Australia:	less than 100
New Zealand:	less than 100
Source: UNAIDS, 2002