Getting tattoos overseas turned out deadly for an Australian who tested HIV positive last week, with authorities confirming over the weekend that the patient contracted the virus while vacationing in Bali, Indonesia.

In a statement, Western Australia Health Department director Paul Armstrong revealed that a resident from the state was found carrying the AIDS-causing virus, which was likely transmitted when the patient visited a tattoo parlour in the resort island.

The case, Armstrong said, highlighted the dangers of risky behaviours and activities while on holidays abroad, where communicable diseases like AIDS could be contracted.

AIDS, according to health experts, enters the human body through exchange of body fluids such as what transpires during unprotected sexual intercourse and sharing of syringe when taking in illegal drugs.

And now that an Australian, whose identity authorities refused to divulge, was found infected by HIV because of getting tattoos in Indonesia, WA officials warned that anybody who had the same procedure in Bali should submit themselves in medical check-up.

"Anybody who has had a tattoo in Bali or a body piercing in Bali should consider the information that's come out and talk to their doctor about getting tested for HIV," Armstrong was reported by Agence France Presse as saying in a statement.

Armstrong also told ABC News that his office has initiated communication with the Indonesian government to look deeper into the incident.

"They'll be in contact with the Indonesians to look at what happened at that parlour and to hopefully take some action to prevent that happening again," the WA health official said.

In light of the incident, those planning to get tattoos while travelling abroad would do well if they undergo the procedure in Australia, according to WA AIDS Council director Trish Langdon.

"Tattoos and other procedures where the skin is pierced are subject to strict health department regulations in Australia," Langdon told ABC.

Indonesian authorities have confirmed that AIDS cases have been surging in the country, with the AFP reporting that AIDS patients jumped by 19 percent in 2011 as compared to the numbers recorded in the previous year.

Most of the reported cases, Indonesian health officials said, were sex workers mostly catering to tourists visiting the islands numerous beaches and resorts, with the bulk of them trooping to the hugely popular Bali vacation spots.

Indonesia counts Australian tourists as one of the country's major visitors.