Discuss organ donation with your family.

As part of the new national reform of organ and tissue donation, from now on the family of every potential donor will be asked to give their consent to donation if the situation arises. The request will be made only by trained health professionals.

Families that do not know the wishes of their loved ones are less likely to give their consent.

Registering to be an organ and tissue donor is not enough. Even if you register your wish to be a donor, your family will still be asked to give consent.

There are many misconceptions held about organ and tissue donation. Some people mistakenly believe their religion opposes the act of donation. Others wrongly believe they are not fit or healthy enough to be a donor.

After you have discovered the facts about organ and tissue donation, and made an informed decision to become an organ and tissue donor, it is important that your family know your wishes and that you know the wishes of your family.

It's not my family's business

Yes it is. Your family will be asked to give consent for you to become a donor when you die.

I'll think about it. Later.

Most people who become donors die suddenly and unexpectedly.

I don't have time. I'm too busy.

It does not take long to register your wishes on the Australian Organ Donor Register and to have a discussion with your family.

My family won't understand.

Organ and tissue donation is a sensitive subject. The decision to become a donor is a personal and important one. To make the right decision for yourself, you need to have the facts so that your decision is informed. Your family might also need time to discover the facts and make their own decisions. Discuss organ donation with them. It is important that members of your family know each others' wishes.