Since the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be considered a treatable condition. In Australia in 2010, 40% of people had their HIV diagnosed late, where late is defined as CD4 <350 cells/mm³ (CD4 normal range = 450-1,500 cells/mm³). This late diagnosis can significantly impact on prognosis.This article provides examples of late HIV diagnosis and an update of how and when to test for HIV in clinical practice.While HIV is usually diagnosed in those with identifiable risk factors, awareness of indications to test and potential HIV indicator diseases can provide the general practitioner with a cue to offer testing to a patient. Early diagnosis of HIV offers benefits to the patient and the community.