BREAKING: The Victorian government is taking immediate action to reverse the alarming decline in organ donor registrations, confirmed Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas last week. Following a comprehensive parliamentary inquiry, which revealed a significant drop in registrations since the COVID-19 pandemic, the government will adopt 17 of the inquiry’s 41 recommendations aimed at revitalizing donor numbers.
The inquiry’s findings, presented earlier this year, indicated that while Victoria boasts the highest number of deceased organ donors in Australia for 2024, the overall registration rate has fallen below the national average. This decline poses a serious threat to potential organ donation outcomes, as approximately 80% of families consent to donation if their loved one is registered. Alarmingly, this figure drops to just 40% when families are unaware of their loved one’s wishes.
To combat this, new measures will be implemented by mid-2026, including enhancements to Victoria’s driver licence system to encourage applicants to register with the Australian Organ Donor Register. Additionally, key links to DonateLife, the organ donor registration website, will be integrated across various Service Victoria digital platforms. A dedicated information page on the Service Victoria app and website has already been launched to facilitate direct access to the registration site.
Thomas emphasized the critical importance of increasing donor registrations, stating, “Organ donations give Victorians a second chance at life – that’s why we are taking immediate action to boost the numbers of donors across the state.” She further highlighted Victoria’s legacy as a leader in organ donation, expressing commitment to reversing the trend and positively impacting many lives.
Community awareness campaigns targeting regions with low donor rates and outreach programs specifically aimed at young Victorians are also part of the government’s strategy. These initiatives seek to educate and encourage more individuals to consider becoming organ and tissue donors.
With the clock ticking on potential lives that could be saved, the urgency of these measures cannot be overstated. Citizens are encouraged to take action now by signing up to become organ and tissue donors at donatelife.gov.au/register-donor-today.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the Victorian government to see if these new strategies yield a significant increase in donor registrations and ultimately save more lives. The need for organ donors remains critical, and the time for action is now.
