The Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR) is a

government A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a state. In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive, and judiciary. Government is a ...

donate A donation is a gift for charity, humanitarian aid, or to benefit a cause. A donation may take various forms, including money, alms, services, or goods such as clothing, toys, food, or vehicles. A donation may satisfy medical needs such as blo ...

organs In biology, an organ is a collection of tissues joined in a structural unit to serve a common function. In the hierarchy of life, an organ lies between tissue and an organ system. Tissues are formed from same type cells to act together in a f ...

and tissues in the event of their death. The register is operated by the Organ and Tissue Authority (OTA) and

Services Australia Services Australia, formerly the Department of Human Services and before that the Department of Social Security, is an executive agency of the Australian Government, responsible for delivering a range of welfare, health, child support payment ...

through Medicare.

Operation

The register is a record of

consent Consent occurs when one person voluntarily agrees to the proposal or desires of another. It is a term of common speech, with specific definitions as used in such fields as the law, medicine, research, and sexual relationships. Consent as und ...

for legal purposes. Authorized medical personnel may access the register to see what an individual chose, but the family is also consulted and can veto/overrule AODR consent status. The AODR has no part in the actual transplant process, nor does it maintain lists of prospective recipients. The deceased's family is also told what the register says and they're asked if he or she had changed their mind, or if the family has sincerely held objections to donation. Potential donors are encouraged to discuss their decision with their family to ensure their wishes are known to them. An individual may consent to the use of all organs and tissues, or just some (if someone has strong views about particular body parts for instance). The consent is entirely voluntary and may be changed or withdrawn at any time. The register is only for

organ donation Organ donation is the process when a person allows an organ of their own to be removed and transplanted to another person, legally, either by consent while the donor is alive or dead with the assent of the next of kin. Donation may be for re ...

; it does not cover other uses for organs such as scientific research. An individual must be 18 years or older to give their consent, but 16- and 17-year-olds may record an intention to donate. When only an intention is recorded the family will be asked to give consent in the event of death.

History

The AODR established in 2000 as a record of intentions, using data from state-based

driver's licence A driver's license is a legal authorization, or the official document confirming such an authorization, for a specific individual to operate one or more types of motorized vehicles—such as motorcycles, cars, trucks, or buses—on a public ...

s. Driver's licences had for many years included a box to tick for those who intended to donate their organs. Since this was only an intention it was the deceased's family who were required to give consent. Except in

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...

, driver's licences now no longer include an organ donation question, and instead, licensing authorities may encourage individuals to consider lodging an intent with AODR. From 1 July 2005 the AODR has allowed a legal consent to be recorded. Existing registered donors (whether from their driver's licence or separately) were asked to re-register when this was introduced, giving consent rather than just indicating an intention. In February 2006 an organ register section was added to the Medicare rebate claim form and the organ donation campaign extended to

Centrelink The Centrelink Master Program, or more commonly known as Centrelink, is a Services Australia master program of the Australian Government. It delivers a range of government payments and services for retirees, the unemployed, families, carer ...

offices. About 5 million people had registered at that time and the hope was that it could be further increased. In 2017, a very simpl
registration form
was created for the landing page of the DonateLife Network's website, making it easier for the public to register as organ donors. OTA manages the implementation of the national reform program to improve organ and tissue donation and transplantation outcomes in Australia. This is done through leadership of, and collaboration with, State and Territory Medical Directors, DonateLife Agencies (one in each state and territory) and hospital medical and nurse specialists in organ and tissue donation; these people and organisations comprise the DonateLife Network.

References

Australian Organ Donor Register
(official website) *
Australian Social Trends 2002: Health - Health Related Actions: Organ donation
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Australian Bureau of Statistics The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is the independent statutory agency of the Australian Government responsible for statistical collection and analysis and for giving evidence-based advice to federal, state and territory governments ...

External links

Australian Organ Donation Register web site
Healthcare in Australia Medicare Australia Organ donation