In a significant shift for blood donation rules in Australia, Lifeblood has announced changes that will make it easier for many people, especially within the LGBTQIA+ community, to donate blood and plasma. The new guidelines will take effect for plasma donations on July 14, 2026, and for blood donations at a later date.
Previously, men and transgender women who had sex with men in the last three months were banned from donating blood. This restriction also applied to sex workers and women who had sex with bisexual men. Under the new rules, individuals in a sexual relationship lasting six months or more with a single partner will be eligible to donate blood, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation.
Lifeblood’s Chief Medical Officer, Jo Pink, emphasized that while blood safety remains the top priority, the old rules had created barriers for many in the LGBTQIA+ community and contributed to stigma. The updated policy will replace the previous questions about sexual activity with a more general inquiry. All donors will be asked if they have had anal sex with new or multiple partners. If they answer yes, they will need to wait three months before donating blood, but they can still donate plasma.
People taking HIV prevention medication known as PrEP will also be allowed to donate plasma, although they will still be restricted from donating blood. The only individuals who remain unable to donate plasma are those living with HIV and those with a partner who has HIV.
Research conducted by Lifeblood, in collaboration with the University of New South Wales’ Kirby Institute, indicates that these changes will not compromise the safety of the blood supply. Plasma undergoes a process called pathogen inactivation, which effectively filters out viruses and bacteria, reducing the risk of infection for patients.
The global demand for plasma is rising, and Lifeblood hopes these changes will help increase supply in Australia. However, some advocates, like Sharon Dane from the Let Us Give campaign, believe the new rules are still not aligned with best practices seen in other countries. For example, in the UK, Canada, and the US, the waiting period for blood donation after engaging in anal sex is only three months, regardless of the relationship duration.
Overall, this decision marks a positive step toward inclusivity in blood donation practices in Australia, aiming to save lives while also addressing long-standing inequalities.