In June, 2025, Australia changed its blood donation guidelines, in a historic health policy shift. Wondering whether you’re eligible to donate blood, plasma, or platelets? Here’s what you need to know.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
This move came into effect on July 14, 2025, marking a significant break from decades of outdated policy \u2014 and a welcome redefinition of what \u201csafe\u201d looks like in the world of blood donation.<\/p>\n
Previously, individuals in these groups were prevented from donating plasma if they had had sex with men within the past three months, regardless of whether their sexual activity posed any actual risk. Now, for the first time, eligibility will be determined by individual risk behaviours, not sexual identity or gender.<\/p>\n
The shift comes after rigorous safety assessments by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Lifeblood, with new findings confirming that Australia\u2019s blood and plasma supplies will remain safe due to a processing step known as pathogen deactivation. That safety net, paired with updated screening questions, means many more Australians will now be able to participate in life-saving donations.<\/a><\/p>\n The updated guidelines also permit individuals taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to donate plasma, though they\u2019ll still be ineligible for blood donation for now. Individuals with sexual contact with someone known to carry a blood-borne virus will also remain deferred.<\/p>\n It’s a long-awaited win for the many Australians who have been excluded from donation not because of risk, but because of residual stigma rooted in the HIV\/AIDS crisis of the 1980s.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You can assess your eligibility using the below guidelines:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You can donate blood every 12 weeks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You can donate plasma every 2 weeks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\nWho else is eligible to donate blood?<\/h2>\n
\n
How often can you donate blood?<\/h2>\n
How often can you donate plasma?<\/h2>\n