Returning from a postponement
Things are changing all the time
For you, and for us. Even if you’ve been told you can’t donate in the past, you should check again. Just in case.
Common past deferrals
- UK travel (vCJD, or mad cow’s disease)
People who lived in the UK for over 6 months between 1980 and 1996 can now give blood in Australia. Yep, blood donors from the UK are A-OK!
- LGBTQIA+ eligibility updates
More people in Australia can now save lives by giving plasma, a powerful type of blood donation. This includes gay and bisexual men, more transgender people, those taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and many others.
- Recovered from cancer
People who have fully recovered from many cancers can now donate just 12 months after finishing treatment. As long as you meet all other criteria, of course.
- Tattoos and piercings
If you get a tattoo in a licensed tattoo studio in Australia, you’re good to give plasma straight away or blood just one week later.
- Travel
Changes are happening to travel eligibility all the time, as things constantly change internationally, like the prevalence of certain diseases or how we test for them.