Have you heard about the Australian and New Zealand Paired Kidney Exchange (ANZKX) program?

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Frequently asked questions

What is organ and tissue donation?

Organ donation is a life-saving and life-transforming medical process.

Which organs and tissues can be removed?

Organs that can be transplanted include the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas.

Who can become an organ and tissue donor?

Almost everyone can help others through organ and tissue donation.

What is the difference between organ and tissue donation?

Organ donation is a rare event.

Why do people need transplants?

People who need an organ transplant are very ill or dying because an organ is failing.

How long do people wait for transplants?

Waiting times are usually between six months and four years, but there are cases where the recipient must wait even longer.

What is 'living donation'?

Living donation is when a person donates either a kidney, part of their liver or bone while they are still alive.

What is paired kidney exchange?

Most living kidney donation happens between people who already know each other. However sometimes it can be difficult to find a good match as blood types have to correspond and tissue must be compatible.

Is organ and tissue donation against my religion?

All major religions support organ and tissue donation for transplantation.

I lived in the UK during 'mad cow disease'. Can I donate my organs or tissue?

You may still be able to donate your organs, but not your tissue.

News and events

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Our 2020 activity report released

Today we released our 2020 Australian Donation and Transplantation Activity Report.

Take the next step to save a life

Parliamentarians were out in numbers as the Federal Minister responsible for the Organ and...

New grant opportunities open for applications

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Our 2020 outcomes data

Today we released our annual outcomes data, outlining Australia’s deceased organ donation and...

National Donor Family Study Wave 4

Study shows prior conversation is key to organ donation decision...

Aussie spirit shines this DonateLife Week

The Aussie spirit of doing the right thing by someone in need has shone through in the results...

DonateLife Week 2020: We say “yes” and “thanks”

This DonateLife Week we have taken our annual campaign digital. We’ll be celebrating the organ...

DonateLife Week - Save the date!

DonateLife Week is coming up from 26 July to 2 August 2020!

It only...

National DonateLife Service of Remembrance

Every year, DonateLife agencies across the country hold Services of Remembrance to honour organ...

Community Awareness Grants announcement

In light of isolation measures put in place by the Australian Government due to COVID-19, the...

1,683 Australian lives were saved through organ donation in 2019

The lives of 1,683 Australians were saved last year by organ transplants made possible through...

See all news and events

How donation saves and changes lives

Read more stories

Organ and tissue donation in Australia

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Australia leads the world for successful organ and tissue transplants.
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9 out of 10 families agree to donation if their family member was registered on the Australian organ donor register.
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1,650 Australians are currently waitlisted for an organ transplant.

Read the latest facts