HIV rates are increasing in Australia, placing it among other nations trending against a global stabilization of new infections, according to a new UNAIDS report.

"After declining sharply in the 1990s, new HIV diagnoses in Australia have increased, from the 763 reported in 2000 to 998 reported in 2006," states the report. "There is evidence that the prevalence of unprotected sex between men has increased or remained at high levels in recent years in several cities including Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and Sydney."

"Numbers might be going up but we still look very good on the world stage as far as overall numbers are concerned," said Professor John Kaldor, head of public health programs at the National Center in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research in Sydney. "And we also look very good in terms of our response."

Among all groups but gay men, Australia still has very low HIV rates, Kaldor said. Surveys suggest there is both a growing complacency about having unprotected sex as well as a slackening in prevention campaign efforts.

"It's difficult to maintain a focus in any prevention program over a very long period," said Kaldor. "But the increase made us really refocus our attentions and increase funding to try to bring the numbers back down."

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