South Australia is encouraging other states and territories to adopt organ and tissue donation registration on drivers' licences, as a proven way to increase donor registration and save lives.
South Australia currently includes organ and tissue donation consent on drivers' licences and has the highest participation rate in the nation – with 74 per cent of people registered, compared with the national average of 35 per cent.
The clear difference in take-up demonstrates how simple, practical measures can have a powerful impact on donation rates and outcomes for people waiting for life saving transplants.
South Australian Health and Wellbeing Minister Blair Boyer will take a paper to tomorrow's Health Ministers' Meeting encouraging all states and territories to follow South Australia's lead.
South Australia's approach makes it easier for people to register their decision at an important everyday interaction.
The proportion of 16–24-year-olds registered in South Australia is nearly six times higher than the national average (41 per cent vs 7 per cent). Ninety per cent of South Australia's 16-24 registrations are through drivers' licences.
National consistency would help ensure more Australians have the opportunity to register their intent and have their wishes clearly recorded.
Every year, thousands of Australians rely on organ and tissue donation to improve or save their lives, yet demand continues to far outweigh supply.
Latest data also shows that only 2 per cent of people who die in Australian hospitals, meet the criteria to be organ donors. There are around 2,000 Australians waiting for an organ transplant, and an additional 14,000 people on dialysis for kidney failure, with many of those also able to benefit from a transplant.
In 2025, 557 donors saved or transformed the lives of 1,438 transplant recipients.
While four in five Australians support organ and tissue donation, only around one in three are registered to be a donor on the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR).
South Australia's push continues strong advocacy in the sector, including from the Police Commissioners Forum in October last year, which unanimously agreed to support all state and territory jurisdictions enabling residents to register as organ and tissue donors through their drivers' licence.
South Australia will continue to advocate for reforms that strengthen organ and tissue donation systems and improve outcomes for patients and families nationwide.
As put by Blair Boyer
South Australia is proud to be leading the way on organ and tissue donation, and we believe the evidence makes a strong case for national adoption.
With a registration rate more than double the national average, this is a model that deserves serious consideration across the country.
Including organ and tissue donation on drivers' licences removes barriers and prompts people to make a decision at a familiar and trusted point in their lives.
South Australia's registration rate of 74 per cent speaks for itself. This is a straightforward reform that we believe should be adopted nationally.
Greater national consistency would not only raise awareness, but it would also help normalise donation and empower more families to honour their loved one's wishes – and ultimately save lives.
