Organ and tissue transplantations have given many Australians suffering life-threatening illnesses like heart, kidney or liver disease, diabetes and cystic fibrosis, the chance of a better quality of life.

More than 30,000 Australians have received transplants in the last 60 years, however, at any one time there are nearly 2,000 Australians on organ or tissue transplant waiting lists.

How to register your consent to become a donor on the Australian Organ Donor Register

The Australian Organ Donor Register (the Donor Register) is the only national register for organ and/or tissue donation. The Donor Register is administered by the Health Insurance Commission (HIC) on behalf of the Australian Government and provides a simple way for you to record your legal decision to becoming an organ or tissue donor in the event of your death.

To register as a potential organ donor and to ensure that your consent to organ and tissue donation for transplantation will be recorded on the Australian Organ Donor Register you will need to complete the registration form attached to the Donor Register brochure. A brochure and registration form is included with your driver's licence renewal application or if your licence isn't due for renewal you can visit http://www.medicare.gov.au/public/services/aodr/index.shtml to download a registration form.

It is important to note that even if you have expressed an intention to donate organs or tissue in the past, by answering 'YES' to the organ donor question on your driver's licence or learner's permit application form, you will still need to complete the registration form to indicate that your intent should be strengthened to a legally valid consent. The registration form only needs to be lodged with HIC once.

The Donor Register will ensure that your donor intentions can be verified 24 hours a day, seven days a week by authorised medical personnel, anywhere in Australia. In the event of your death, your family will be advised of the decision you have recorded on the Donor Register.

Remember

• It is important to discuss your decision with your family, partner or close friends. The more family members who know of your decision to donate organs or tissue for transplantation, and the more thoroughly you have discussed the issue, the more reassured they are likely to be by your decision.
• Anyone can choose to donate organs and tissue. Your age and medical history will be considered but you shouldn't assume you are too old or not healthy enough.

For more information about the Australian Organ Donor Register visit http://www.medicare.gov.au/public/services/aodr/index.shtml