To donate life...know their wishes.

Donation facts and statistics

One organ and tissue donor can save up to 10 lives and improve the lives of many more.1

91% of Australians agree that organ and tissue donation has the potential to save and improve lives.2

Australia is a world leader for successful transplant outcomes, yet has one of the lowest donation rates in the developed world.

Around 1700 people are on Australian organ transplant waiting lists.3

On average, people on the transplant list can wait between 6 months and 4 years.4

To lift donation rates the Australian Government, with State and Territory Governments, has implemented a national reform package, ‘A World’s Best Practice Approach to Organ and Tissue Donation for Transplantation’.

The initial focus for reform involved reform of the hospital system in terms of identifying potential donors. To do this, the Australian Government funded 160 dedicated doctors and nurses in 76 hospitals to work specifically on organ and tissue donation. These positions are now in place, as part of the national DonateLife Network which also includes a further 82 staff such as State Medical Directors, Organ Donor Coordinators and Donor Family Support specialists.

In 2010, 309 organ donors gave 931 Australians a new chance in life.5

The number of organ donations in 2010 was the highest rate in Australia’s recorded donation history.6

Complementing the significant progress made in the clinical sector, Australia needs more active engagement and awareness within the community to increase Australia’s family consent rate.

In Australia, the family’s consent to organ and tissue donation proceeding is always sought.

The Australian Government’s national reform strategy includes actions to increase community engagement and awareness in relation to organ and tissue donation.

The majority of Australians (77%) are generally willing to become organ and tissue donors.7

Australia’s family consent rate is low, with less than 60% of families giving consent for organ and tissue donation to proceed.8

The most important thing that helps a family’s decision is their knowing the wishes of their loved one.

40% of Australians do not know the donation wishes of their loved ones.9

The majority of Australians (90%) that are aware of their family members’ wishes agree and support these wishes.10

The majority of Australians (79%) recognise it is important to discuss their donation wishes with the people close to them.11

1 in 5 Australians (20%) have had memorable discussions with their loved ones about their donation wishes.12

The majority of Australians (80%) have either never discussed their donation wishes (31%), not really discussed their donation wishes (12%) or only had a brief discussion (37%).13

Every family making the decision about whether to agree to a donation proceeding is now able to receive dedicated support from DonateLife Donor Coordinators, whether or not donation proceeds.

The quality of care for a potential donor at the end of his or her life, and the wishes of their family, is always the foremost consideration of those involved, and is never compromised by the potential for organ and tissue donation.

1. Organ and Tissue Authority2. National Community Awareness Survey, Woolcott Research, for the Australian

Organ and Tissue Authority, 20103. Australia and New Zealand Organ Donation Registry (www.anzdata.org.au/anzod)4. National Medical Director, Organ and Tissue Authority5. Australia and New Zealand Organ Donation Registry6. Australia and New Zealand Organ Donation Registry7. National Community Awareness Survey, Woolcott Research 20118. National Organ Donor Collaborative9. National Community Awareness Survey, Woolcott Research 201110. National Community Awareness Survey, Woolcott Research 201111. National Community Awareness Survey, Woolcott Research 201112. National Community Awareness Survey, Woolcott Research 201113. National Community Awareness Survey, Woolcott Research 2011

Australian organ transplant waiting list February 2011

Kidney 1192

Liver 179

Heart 86

Lung 143

Pancreas 31

Intestine 2

Total 1633

Source: Australia and New Zealand Organ Registry (ANZOD).

Transplanted organs in Australia for 2010

Kidney 548

Liver 204

Heart 65

Heart/lung 3

Intestine 1

Lung 120

Pancreas/kidney 34

Pancreas islets 9

Total 984

Source: Australia and New Zealand Organ Registry (ANZOD) in conjunction with ANZDATA RegistryNote: 984 organs were transplanted in 2010, benefiting 931 transplant recipients.

discover...decide...discuss

Authorised by the Australian Government, Capital Hill, Canberra and the Victorian Minister for Health, Melbourne.

donatelife.gov.au

Family discussion kit

Family discussionAlmost half of all Australians don’t realise that their family will be asked to confirm their wishes about possible organ and tissue donation.

You can help your family and friends have (and remember) the discussion. Visit our website at www.donatelife.gov.au for suggestions on how to start that discussion.

DISCOVER the facts about organ and tissue donationDECIDE about becoming a donorDISCUSS your decision with the people close to you.

To donate life, know their wishes. Ask them today.