Since the national DonateLife program began under a Labor Government, more than 20,000 Australians have received a life-saving transplant thanks to more than 7,500 deceased organ donors.
Released today, donation and transplantation data from 2025 reveals 1,438 Australian lives were saved, thanks to the generosity of 557 deceased organ donors. This is an 8 per cent increase in transplantation and a 6 per cent increase in the number of organ donors from 2024.
Despite 2025 recording the highest number of deceased donors on record for DonateLife, Australia's consent rate - the number of families who agree to donation in the hospital - remains low at 53 per cent. Increasing the number of families who consent to donation is critical for future growth in donation and transplantation.
There are around 2,000 seriously ill Australians on a waitlist for an organ transplant, and an additional 14,000 people on dialysis for kidney failure, many who could benefit from a kidney transplant.
Encouraging more Australians to register as organ and tissue donors, and talk to their family about donation, is the best way to help more people get a life-saving transplant.
Every year, opportunities for transplant are missed because families aren't sure if their family member wanted to be a donor. Around 8 in 10 families agree to donation when you are registered, but this drops to 4 in 10 when you're not registered and they don't know what you want.
When Michele's son Aaron died in a tragic car accident at 20-years-old, his medical team approached his family about organ donation. Because they had discussed organ donation as a family and he was registered, they knew Aaron wanted to be an organ donor. Aaron's family agreed to donation and Aaron's organs saved 4 lives.
It only takes one minute to register as an organ and tissue donor at donatelife.gov.au or through Medicare.
More data can be found at donatelife.gov.au/data
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Rebecca White:
"While organ donation is returning to record highs, we know we can save even more lives if more families feel confident saying 'yes'.
"Collaboration is the key to increasing donation and transplantation rates in Australia. All governments are working together to increase the number of Australians registered as donors.
"It takes one minute to register as an organ donor, but it can mean a lifetime for someone else. I urge all Australians to talk to your family and loved ones and register via donatelife.gov.au or through Medicare."
