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September 2008
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Australian Organ Donor Register

The Australian Organ Donor Register is administered by Medicare Australia on behalf of the Australian Government and provides a simple way for people to record their consent (or objection) to becoming an organ and/or tissue donor.

In January 2005, Australian Health Ministers agreed that the Australian Organ Donor Register would become a Register of consent, enabling individuals to record their legal decision to becoming an organ or tissue donor after death. The Register will be operational as a consent register from July 2005.

Health Ministers agreed that the Australian Organ Donor Register would be the only national register for organ and/or tissue donation.

The Donor Register will ensure that your consent (or objection) to donating organs and/or tissue for transplantation can be verified 24 hours a day, seven days a week by authorised medical personnel, anywhere in Australia. In the event of your death, information about your decision will be accessed from the Donor Register, and provided to your family. It is important that you talk with your family before registering your decision.

Why donate organs and tissue?

For many Australians with life-threatening or serious illnesses, organ or tissue transplantation can mean a second chance at life, or an improved quality of life. More than 30,000 Australians have received transplants in the last 60 years, and improved survival rates now mean that most recipients of organs or tissue can look forward to long and active lives.

Who can register on the Donor Register?

To ensure consent is legally valid, only people aged 18 years 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 years, but in these cases consent from families will still be needed for transplantation to take place.

Recording your decision on the Donor Register is voluntary, and individuals can limit their donation to only certain organs or tissue. The intending donor has complete choice over which organs and tissue they are prepared to donate. Donation can involve:

  • organs - which include kidneys, heart, lungs, liver and pancreas; and
  • tissue - which include heart valves, bone tissue, skin and eye tissue.

How does the Donor Register work?

Organ and tissue donation can only occur if a person has died under certain circumstances, and if consent to donation has been given. Medicare Australia operates the Donor Register 24 hours a day, and information is made available to authorised users anywhere in Australia, making it more likely that potential donors' decisions will be made available to medical staff and families.

Can the details recorded on the Donor Register be changed?

If at any time a person changes their mind about donation, they can change their information that is recorded on the Donor Register by calling 1800 777 203 (free call), by downloading the Change of details form, or simply filling out another registration form attached to the Australian Organ Donor Register brochure and ticking the box to show they wish to change their details.

Why do potential donors need to discuss organ and/or tissue donation with their family, partner or friend?

While the Donor Register offers a simple and accessible method of recording a person's decision about donation, it is still important for potential donors to discuss the issue with their family, partner or friend. Where a potential donor has made their decision clear, experience shows their family, partner or friend will be more comfortable at the time donation is actively considered.

How can GPs and practice staff be involved?

Hospital procedures regarding donation are one factor, which can influence donation rates. Intensive care clinicians play an important role in maintaining intensive care patients, emergency department procedures and requesting donation. GPs can also play a role by talking to patients and families about the issues involved in organ donation.

Practice staff and GPs can request copies of brochures and posters to display or distribute to their patients by calling the Donor Register enquiry line on 1800 777 203 (free call).

Registering on the Donor Register

People wishing to record their consent (or objection) to be an organ and/or tissue donor can get registration forms from any Medicare office or:

Phone: 1800 777 203 (free call)
Email: aodr@medicareaustralia.gov.auEmail
Mail: Reply Paid 711 Hobart TAS 7001
Internet: Organ Donor Register (online registration available)

Last updated: 16 May, 2008

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