We know that 4 in 5 Australians aged 16+ support organ and tissue donation – yet only 1 in 3 are registered.
Australians can register their intent to donate organs and tissues on the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR). The AODR is a confidential national record of Australia's organ donation decisions, and it is linked to your Medicare account. It is administered by Services Australia.
When you register on the AODR, you provide a clear indication to your family that you want to be a donor in the future.
Organ donation will only go ahead with the support of your family and specialist donation teams will never proceed with organ donation if your family object.
If you are able to become an organ donor in the future, a Donation Specialist Nurse will check the AODR to see if you have recorded a decision and discuss this with your family or next of kin.
Without your decision to help them, your family may be unsure what to do.
Around 9 in 10 families say yes to donation when you are registered. Only 4 in 10 families say yes to donation if they are unsure what to do.
There are currently around 1,800 people on organ waitlists who need Australia’s help. One organ donor can save the lives of up to 7 people and change the lives of many more through eye and tissue donation.
After you've registered, it is important to talk to your family about donation.
