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.

Sexually-active gay and bisexual men, transgender women, and sex workers can now donate

This move came into effect on July 14, 2025, marking a significant break from decades of outdated policy — and a welcome redefinition of what “safe” looks like in the world of blood donation.

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.

The shift comes after rigorous safety assessments by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Lifeblood, with new findings confirming that Australia’s 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.

The updated guidelines also permit individuals taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to donate plasma, though they’ll 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.

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.

Who else is eligible to donate blood?

You can assess your eligibility using the below guidelines:

• You must be aged between 18 - 75.
• You cannot have received a tattoo in the last week to donate blood or platelets. However, you can donate plasma straight away after a tattoo, as long as it was done in a licensed tattoo parlour in Australia.
• You cannot be pregnant. If you have recently given birth, you'll need to wait nine months before giving blood
• If you’ve had a heart attack, angina, ischaemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, or heart surgery, you’ll need to go six months with no symptoms, and by approved by your doctor before donating.  If you’ve had more than one heart attack, you won’t be able to donate at all.
• If you have iron deficiency, you shouldn't donate.
• If you are taking PrEP, you can donate plasma. However, you will need to wait 12 months after stopping it to donate blood or platelets.
• If you’ve injected drugs which weren’t prescribed by a registered medical practitioner, you’ll need to wait 5 years before you can donate.
• Certain travel destinations will inhibit you from donating. Check where you have travelled against the guidelines here.

How often can you donate blood?

You can donate blood every 12 weeks.

How often can you donate plasma?

You can donate plasma every 2 weeks.