Australia has committed more than $15 million to help arrest the Pacific nation's HIV outbreak.
"Regrettably, as you know, Fiji is experiencing the fastest-growing HIV outbreaks in the world, and we, Australia, are standing with you in responding to this crisis," Foreign Minister Penny Wong said while announcing the funding in Suva.
About one in every 60 Fijian adults has HIV, and infections were up more than 25 per cent in March from the previous year.
More than 2000 cases were diagnosed in 2025 and two-thirds were in people aged 20 to 34, a Fiji health surveillance report in April 2025 said.
It was the highest number of cases since surveillance began in 1989.
In 2014, the country had just 500 known cases.
The crisis is unfolding due to unsafe sex practices and a dangerous drug-sharing process known as "bluetoothing", which is when blood containing injected drugs is drawn from one person and inserted into another.
"This is a health challenge, but it is also a security challenge. Alongside our health partnership, we're also working together to combat transnational crime, illicit drug trafficking, which is contributing to this challenge," Senator Wong said.
The announcement was made ahead of Senator Wong representing Australia in Fiji at the Pacific Islands Forum for foreign ministers.
Australia and Fiji in July became official allies through the signing of a peace alliance and historic treaty known as the Vuvale Union.
The $1 billion union included earlier health funding, in addition to ongoing support.
Australia has also committed to a skills hub for its Pacific counterpart, training young people to take on trades and tertiary education.
Senator Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have been keen to shore up support for the nation as China continues to be a strong force in the region.
Fiji maintains a police and military training program with Beijing. Under the deal, Fijian officers have been trained in China while Chinese police have been embedded in the Fijian force.
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