World AIDS Day 1st December 2025
World AIDS Day is an international day that began in 1988. It is held on 1 December each year to help raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.
In Australia, it is a day for the community to:
- show their support for people living with HIV
- raise awareness about prevention, treatment and care
- combat stigma and discrimination around HIV
- remember people who have died of AIDS-related illnesses.
Why World AIDS Day is important
World AIDS Day raises awareness of HIV and AIDS in our community and across the world. It reminds us that HIV is still a global epidemic.
In Australia there are an estimated 30,890 people living with HIV (2024). Worldwide, there are 40.8 million people living with this virus (2024). More than 44.1 million people have died of AIDS-related illnesses around the world since the start of the epidemic.
World AIDS Day is a way to honour them.
Today in Australia:
- People living with HIV can get medication that allows them to live a healthy, long life.
- People living with HIV who take antiretroviral treatment can supress their viral load and have no risk of transmitting HIV to a sexual partner.
- People can take preventive medication that removes the risk of getting HIV through sexual activity.
- People can quickly access medications that prevents HIV infection if exposed to the virus.
- We have safer-sex initiatives and programs to reduce the risk of harm from injecting drugs.
But not everyone knows this.
World AIDS Day is a way to increase awareness and make our collective future better.
This year’s theme
In 2025 the Australian theme is ‘No one left behind‘.
The theme highlights the urgent need to tackle inequities in HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and quality of life. It focuses on improving access and outcomes for First Nations peoples, CALD communities, and those in regional and remote areas.
The theme also acknowledges Australia’s responsibility to support global initiatives and reminds us that stigma and discrimination must be addressed as they continue to hinder testing, treatment and wellbeing.
It is a call for collective action to create supportive environments that enable people living with HIV to live free from stigma and discrimination.
