Organ donation

Give the gift of life and register your decision to donate your organs or tissue after you die.

Deciding to donate your organs

It’s your choice to donate your organs or not.

As an organ donor, you can save many lives. Right now, more than 1,400 people are waiting for an organ transplant.

You can choose which organs and tissue to donate. You can also change your mind about being a donor at any time.

When you decide, record your wishes on the Australian Organ Donor Register.

Remember, it’s important to tell your family what you decide about organ donation. They’ll have the final say about this when you die, so they need to know what you want.

In 9 out of 10 cases, families go along with those choices recorded on the register.

You can read more about organ donation on the DonateLife website. DonateLife help to deliver government programs to improve organ and tissue donation. Their website has helpful information on:

  • what you can donate
  • who can donate
  • how the donation process works.

Registering your decision

The Australian Organ Donor Register is quick and easy to join and update online. It is the only national register in Australia.

This register is about donating organs for people who need a transplant. It’s not about donating organs for research.

When you register, you tell us:

  • your donation decision
  • which organs or tissue you want to donate.

If you change your mind, you can update your choices on the register.

It’s important to be on the register as it’s the best way to make your wishes clear.

To find out how to register, read more about the Australian Organ Donor Register.

Page last updated: 3 March 2022.
QC 60350