While rust does not kill your frangipani trees, it causes leaves to die and fall off.  They look rather pitiful, and bloom poorly, once rust has become established.

The dry powdery fungus is very ugly and survives on the underside of leaves.  Rust is a most unsightly disease, and it thrives in moist, humid conditions.  It 'appears' to die off in winter, but studies suggest that it only lays dormant, ready to attack again with warmer weather.

It is airborne and spreads again year after year, once someone unwittingly brings in into your area.  It is not yet present in Western Australia and South Australia, however it seems to have spread to many other parts of Australia, especially the more humid climates.