Individual Donor Assessment Takes Effect in Australia

The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood implemented individual donor assessment for blood donation on Monday, expanding donor eligibility for transgender people as well as gay and bisexual men. Australia’s health regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, approved the policy in 2025.

Under the updated criteria, most individuals in a monogamous relationship of at least six months are eligible, provided they meet all other requirements. Individuals with new or multiple partners may also be eligible if they have not had anal sex in the three months prior to donation. Male donors are no longer asked whether they have had sex with another man. The organization estimates the updated blood donor criteria could yield up to 20,000 additional donations annually.

Lifeblood previously expanded eligibility for plasma intended for fractionation through its “Plasma Pathway,” removing most sexual activity-based deferrals. To date, the initiative has resulted in 10,000 plasma donations from approximately 3,000 new donors.