Australia makes historic move in blood donation equality
The ban, initially designed to reduce the risk of HIV transmission, had long excluded men and transgender women who had sex with men within the past three months, along with sex workers and women who had sexual contact with bisexual men.
Australia’s LGBTQIA+ community is celebrating a major policy shift after the country announced it will lift longstanding restrictions that barred many from donating plasma and blood, a move seen as both life-saving and long overdue.
Starting July 14, individuals will no longer be disqualified from plasma donation based on their sexual activity, making Australia the first country to fully eliminate such restrictions. The broader policy change for blood donations is set to follow in 2026.
The ban, initially designed to reduce the risk of HIV transmission, had long excluded men and transgender women who had sex with men within the past three months, along with sex workers and women who had sexual contact with bisexual men.
Jo Pink, Chief Medical Officer at Lifeblood, said the move was a “milestone moment,” and acknowledged the emotional and social toll the former rules had on the LGBTQIA+ community.
Until now, Lifeblood would ask male donors if they had sex with other men within a recent timeframe. Under the revised approach, all donors will instead be asked if they’ve engaged in anal sex with new or multiple partners—regardless of gender. Those who answer “yes” will be deferred from blood donation for three months but will still be allowed to give plasma.
Lifeblood said the changes could add up to 625,000 new potential donors.
The updated policy also lifts restrictions on individuals using HIV prevention medicine PrEP, who can now donate plasma. They, however, remain ineligible to donate blood.
The only groups still barred from plasma donation include individuals living with HIV and those with HIV-positive partners.
Lifeblood, together with the Kirby Institute at the University of New South Wales, conducted research confirming the safety of the new guidelines. Plasma donations go through a process called pathogen inactivation, which removes viruses and bacteria to protect recipients.
With growing pressure on healthcare systems and rising demand for plasma in Australia and globally, the change is expected to greatly ease supply challenges.
Dash Heath-Paynter, CEO of Health Equity Matters, praised the reform. “It opens the door to thousands of life-saving donations at a time when plasma is urgently needed across the country’s healthcare system,” he said.
