Victoria to act on declining organ donor numbers

The Victorian government will introduce new measures to lift the number of registered organ and tissue donors, after a parliamentary inquiry found donor registrations have declined in recent years.

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas last week confirmed the state government’s full support for 17 of the inquiry’s 41 recommendations, which are aimed at reversing the downward trend in registrations recorded since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state government supported a further 24 recommendations either in principle or in part.

Key actions include updating Victoria’s driver licence system to prompt applicants to join the Australian Organ Donor Register and adding links to DonateLife, the organ donor registration website, across several Service Victoria digital cards by mid-2026.

A new information page on the Service Victoria app and website to connect users directly to the registration website has already been added, and the government has committed to boosting community awareness in areas where there are low donor rates and among young Victorians.

The inquiry, which tabled its final report in March, found that the rate of organ donation in Victoria is higher than the nation average, and in 2024, the state recorded the highest number of deceased organ donors in the country.

But numbers have been impacted since the pandemic, with a downward trend persisting in Victoria and most Australian states and territories over the past three years.

Victoria’s registration rate on the Australian Organ Donor Registry is now lower than the national average, which data shows has a direct impact on donation rates.

Around eight in 10 families say yes to donation if their loves one has registered as a donor. But this figure drops to four in 10 if their family did not know they wanted to be a donor.

Thomas said increasing registrations remained critical to improving donations outcomes.

“Organ donations gives Victorians a second chance at life – that’s why we are taking immediate action to boost the numbers of donors across the state,” she said.

“Victoria has long been a leader in organ donation, saving and improving the lives of many Australians. This work will help us maintain that legacy and make a real difference to so many.”

To sign up to become an organ and tissue donor, head to donatelife.gov.au/register-donor-today