Our History

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Our story spans more than 35 years of community-led action to counter an epidemic that at times has seemed unstoppable.

1980

EARLY 1980s

Since the beginning of the epidemic, community leadership has been at the heart of Australia’s response to HIV.

MID 1980s

The early work of gay community activists had seen community-based AIDS Councils formed in the States and Territories to provide peer-led prevention and support and to galvanise hundreds of volunteers around the country to help with this work.

1985

1985

Leaders from the AIDS Councils met and agreed to create a new national community-based HIV organisation, to be known as the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO).

1989

1988

Leaders from the AIDS Councils met and agreed to create a new national community-based HIV organisation, to be known as the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO).

1990

Early 1990s

Leaders from the AIDS Councils met and agreed to create a new national community-based HIV organisation, to be known as the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO).

Mid 1990s

Leaders from the AIDS Councils met and agreed to create a new national community-based HIV organisation, to be known as the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO).

AFAO has also been significantly involved in the United Nations’ response to HIV, particularly input into the development of the United Nations General Assembly’s Declarations on HIV/AIDS in 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016.

The history of AFAO and our members is a proud one.

  • However, we know there is still a lot of work to be done to meet the bold HIV prevention and treatment targets Australia has committed to. But as challenging as the next years will be, we know we have 35 years of community-based inspiration to draw on and we are therefore well placed to turn the vision of ending HIV into a reality.

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Discover the impact we make in Australia and internationally.

Learn about our current programs and impact areas in Australia, as well as in Asia and the Pacific.

View our Impact Areas