Burnet Institute will work alongside Pacific governments, health services and community organisations through a major Australian Government initiative responding to rapidly rising rates of HIV, with an initial focus on Fiji.
Fiji’s HIV epidemic is an urgent regional health issue. Fiji reported 583 new HIV cases in 2024, and a further 2,016 cases in 2025.
Burnet’s involvement is part of Australian Support for Pacific HIV Action (ASPHA), a $48 million, six-year initiative funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Running from 2025 to 2031, ASPHA will support Pacific countries to implement evidence-based, locally led responses guided by their own priorities, policies and health-system contexts.
Burnet will contribute expertise in HIV prevention, surveillance, health systems strengthening, implementation research and community-led responses.
Under ASPHA, Burnet will partner with ASHM, Fiji National University, The Pacific Community, the Doherty Institute and the Kirby Institute as part of the National Systems Stream. This Stream will work with Pacific island countries to build stronger health systems to address HIV in the region.
Burnet Deputy Program Director of Disease Elimination Dr Caroline van Gemert, said strengthening these systems would lead to a more sustainable HIV response.
“The rapid rise in HIV infections is already placing significant pressure on health systems in Fiji and we expect that situation to worsen as infections increase,” Dr van Gemert said.
Burnet will also partner with Health Equity Matters, the Pacific Sexual and Gender Diversity Network, the Pacific Conference of Churches, and the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement to support the Community Stream under ASPHA.
This will bolster community-led HIV efforts through health promotion, peer-led testing, treatment and care, working with local LGBTQIA+ communities, women’s rights organisations, and church groups.
“Communities bring essential knowledge about the barriers people face and the approaches most likely to reach those who may experience stigma, discrimination or difficulty accessing mainstream services,” Dr van Gemert said.
“Working across health systems and community-led responses creates an opportunity to connect evidence, services and lived experience while supporting solutions designed and led in the Pacific.”
Rising HIV rates pose significant long-term health, social and economic challenges for the region. The HIV prevalence in Fiji is now at 1.6%, meaning one in every 60 adults is living with the virus.
