Become an organ donor

By choosing to become an organ donor you may save or improve the lives of up to 10 people who have serious or life-threatening illnesses.

For these people, organ or tissue transplantation may mean a second chance at life, or an improved quality of life.

There are almost 2000 people in Australia on organ transplant waiting lists at any given time. Some of them will die waiting.

The Australian Organ Donor Register

The Australian Organ Donor Register is Australia's only national organ and tissue register.

It is designed to allow people to ensure their consent (or objection) to donating organs and/or tissue for transplantation can be verified by authorised medical personnel anywhere in Australia 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Well over 1 million Australians are currently on the register.

Registering your consent to organ/tissue transplant may help to ease the burden on your family and friends in the event of your death - as they will know exactly what you want.

However, it is still important that you talk with your family before registering your decision.

Who can be listed on the Register?

Only people aged 18 and over will be able to record their consent on the Donor Register.

Registrations of intent will be accepted from people aged 16 and 17, but in these cases consent from families will still be needed before transplantation can take place.

When you fill in the form to get on the Donor Register, you may limit your donation to only certain organs or tissue if you wish.

How to register

Visit a Medicare office (view a list of offices) and pick up an organ donation brochure, which includes a form you can fill in and post, fax, or lodge in person.

Download this form, fill it in and take it into a Medicare office or post or fax it to the address on the form.

Call 1800 777 203 and ask for a form to be posted to you.

Note that your signature will be required before you will be able to be listed on the Register.

F urther information :

•  Medicare Australia's information webpage or call 1800 777 203.

• Donate Life website