UPDATED 5.50pm The AIDS Foundation says it's still too early to declare that AIDS is no longer a public health risk - despite Australia making the move.

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Australia's top scientists have made the call, based on a plummeting number of cases there. However, doctors say the fight against HIV is ongoing.

The Foundation's Nick Laing said while New Zealand also has low numbers of AIDS cases today, we're still seeing high numbers of people contracting HIV.

He said it's wide access to treatments that stop the virus turning fatal.

"We're saying people who get HIV are living much longer and living very healthy lives and not progressing to an AIDS diagnosis."