- Australia has one of the safest blood supply systems in the world.
- You can donate whole blood every 12 weeks.
- O negative blood is universal and can be given to anyone.
- Plasma and platelet donations can be made every 2 weeks.
- Every whole blood donation can save 3 lives.
- 1 in 3 people will need blood. Only 1 in 30 gives blood.
- Australia needs over 27,000 blood donations every week.
- 470mL of blood is collected when you give whole blood.
- Within 24-48 hours of giving blood, your blood volume is completely restored.
- Giving blood only takes about an hour.
- Plasma donations can be used to make 17 different products.
- Red blood cells have a shelf life of 42 days.
- 34% of donated blood goes towards helping cancer patients.
- You can start giving blood at 16.
- The blood service has been collecting blood for over 80 years.
- Many donor centres have a courtesy bus.
- You can donate double platelets – helping twice as many people.
- Platelets have a shelf life of only 5 days.
Become a donor
Every blood donation can save 3 lives.
People like Paul, who survived aggressive blood cancer, rely on blood donors. Paul needed 148 blood donations as part of his treatment. His gratitude to blood donors is immeasureable.
By becoming a blood donor, you could save people like Paul.
So, please roll up your sleeves and give blood.
- Book an appointment online
To find out more about donating blood, take a look through the information in this section and if you have any questions call us on 13 14 95.
- Am I eligible to give blood?
- What can I expect when I give blood?
- Find my nearest blood donor centre
- Got a question? Check out our FAQs