Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for taking the generous step in considering becoming a blood donor. As you can imagine donating blood is a critical service and as such needs to be conducted under strict and rigorous rules to ensure the safety of our donors and the blood supply. This results in there being occasions when blood donations are offered but must be declined by the Blood Service: whatever the result is from your offer, thank you.

These guidelines are subject to regular updates so please check periodically, or if your circumstances change.

Take our quick eligibility quiz or call 13 14 95 and ask to speak to Medical Services for more information.

This page was last updated on 2 July 2010.
Subject areas updated:
- Acupuncture
- Influenza
- Piercings
- Sexual Activity
- Tattoo
- Tests
- Travel

• General
• Eligibility
• The Donation Process
• Where to Donate
• Donor Questionnaire & Interview
• About Blood

You can call us on 13 14 95. Our staff can answer any questions and also organise a time for you to come in to donate.

You can also register your interest here.

All blood donations are tested and processed and available for use between 24 and 48 hours after collection. Whole blood is separated into its components (red cells, platelets, plasma). After processing, red cells can be stored for up to 42 days; plasma is frozen and can be stored for up to 12 months; and platelets have a shelf-life of only five days.

A single unit of blood taken during a whole blood donation is about 470mL (less than half a litre), which is less than 10% of your total blood volume. Your body keeps on replenishing blood all the time whether you give blood or not, so this amount is quickly replaced.

An average size adult has a blood volume of about 5 litres.

Everybody has a particular blood type which is jointly inherited from their mother and their father. There are two major blood type systems – the ABO system and the Rhesus system (Rh factor) - the different combinations of which result in eight major blood types.

When a transfusion is required, it is preferable that patients receive blood of the same ABO and Rh(D) type. However, in an emergency, if the required blood type is unavailable, a patient may be given blood of a different, but compatible type, as shown in the linked image.

Red cells give blood its colour and account for 40-50% of its volume.

• Their main function is to carry oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body and remove waste products such as carbon dioxide.
• Transfusions are used to treat people with severe anaemia, those whose red blood cells do not function adequately and people experiencing severe bleeding such as accident victims and patients undergoing surgery.
• Red cells are stored in a refrigerator and have a shelf life of up to 42 days.
  

Platelets are components of blood that assist in the blood clotting process.

• They are literally tiny plates that wedge together covering tears in the blood vessels and preventing blood from leaking into surrounding tissue.
• The primary use of platelets is in the treatment of people with various cancers and other diseases such as leukaemia where the bone marrow is unable to produce adequate numbers of platelets, as well as for people receiving medical treatments like chemotherapy which can decrease a person's platelet count. Platelets are also used to treat people suffering severe blood loss.
• Platelets are stored at room temperature and have a shelf life of only 5 days. This is why it is vital to have a constant flow of blood donations coming in.

Plasma is the straw coloured fluid in which the red cells, white cells and platelets are suspended.

• Plasma is the most versatile component of blood as it can be processed into a variety of products and each product can be used to treat a number of potentially life-threatening conditions.
• Plasma is stored frozen and has a shelf life of up to 12 months
  

It is possible to give platelet or plasma-only donations every 2 weeks. Find out more here.

Whole blood donations are separated into their components (red cells, platelets and plasma). After processing, red cells are refrigerated and can be stored for up to 42 days. Platelets are stored at room temperature and can be stored for up to 5 days. Plasma is frozen and can be stored for up to 12 months.

Whilst a significant proportion of the plasma is used for direct transfusion to patients, the majority of donated plasma is further processed into a number of very important plasma products. These plasma products include immunisations against chicken pox, hepatitis B and tetanus; clotting factors for the treatment of patients with haemophilia; protein products for the treatment of patients with burns, liver and kidney diseases; and immunoglobulin products for the treatment of patients with antibody deficiencies and other disorders of the immune system.

After donation, all blood is tested at every donation for blood type, the presence of red cell antibodies and for the following infections: HIV1 & 2, hepatitis B & C, HTLV I & II and syphilis. Some donations are also tested for malaria depending on the donor's answers to the questions on the donor questionnaire.

For more information, click here.

Distribution of the blood and blood products to hospitals is determined by when, where and how much blood will be needed at any given time. In emergencies, blood can be transported between hospitals, towns and states/territories so that we can ensure that the blood is available when it is needed.

It is sometimes thought that the majority of donated blood helps those involved in accidents and emergencies. However, as the linked image shows, most of the blood is used to treat people with cancer and other serious illnesses.

The minimum period between whole blood donations is 12 weeks and for some donors the time between each donation can be longer. We appreciate that answering the questions takes time because they are so detailed. The questions are designed to safeguard the health of each donor and each recipient and to comply with various state government legislation. We take your safety and the safety of the blood supply very seriously. It is important that this vital screening process is performed before each and every donation.

Australia has one of the safest blood supplies in the world and the Blood Service needs your help to maintain these standards. All blood donations are tested for viruses including HIV, hepatitis B & C, however there is a period of time after a person first becomes infected with a virus during which the infection may not be detectable (often referred to as the ‘window period’). So, the person’s blood could still transmit a disease if transfused to a patient, even though their tests were negative and there was no sign of infection at the time of donation. Also, tests are not available for infections such as vCJD (mad cow diseases). For this reason, a thorough screening process is essential.

A major component of our screening process is designed to identify those people who are at a greater risk of transmitting blood borne infections. In order to safeguard the blood supply it is imperative that these people do not give blood. All screening measures must meet stringent regulatory requirements. While the process is lengthy and may seem intrusive, it is absolutely necessary to safeguard the blood supply.

Anyone who works at an abattoir (including administrative staff) is eligible to donate blood, however only the plasma portion of your donation is able to be used. This restriction applies while working at an abattoir and for a period of twelve months after ceasing work at an abattoir.

Please note that simply visiting an abattoir does not result in your donation being restricted.

Yes, as long as only sterile single-use (disposable) equipment was used, but only the plasma portion from your donation can be used for four months following the last procedure. After this time you can donate blood for full use.

If sterile single-use (disposable) equipment was not used, or you are unsure if it was used, you are eligible to donate again six months after the last acupuncture procedure.

Whole blood donors

• New donors can commence donating blood up to their 71st birthday.
• Existing whole blood donors can continue donating blood up to their 81st birthday.

Plasma and Platelet donors

• Provided you meet the plasma or platelet eligibility criteria, existing whole blood donors can commence donating up to their 61st birthday.
• Existing whole blood donors aged 61-65 years may be recruited to plasma and/or platelet donation subject to the approval of the Blood Service Medical Officer.
• Existing plasma and platelet donors can continue to donate up to their 81st birthday.

All donors are required to retire from donating when they turn 81.

What is the minimum age for blood donation?

The minimum age to donate is 16 years, however, some state/territory legislation requires parental consent for donors aged 16 or 17 years before they’re eligible to donate blood. If you are 16 or 17 years old, you must have parental consent to donate blood in Queensland and Western Australia. A copy of the form can be downloaded here.

The Blood Service does not take blood from anyone under the influence of alcohol because intoxication can affect ability to understand and answer the donor questionnaire and declaration, and to tolerate blood withdrawal.

If antibiotics are taken for the treatment of an existing infection, the infection must have been fully resolved for one week and the antibiotics completed at least five days before donating.

In some cases, in the absence of existing infection, a donation may be collected for restricted use as long as the donor is well. If in doubt, call the Blood Service on 13 14 95.

Taking an antidepressant is generally not a cause for deferral as long as you are physically well. However, if you are taking a dosage above the recommended maximum prescribed level you may require assessment. Please call 13 14 95 to speak to Medical Services about your eligibility to donate.

Medicines for the control of blood pressure are acceptable, providing your blood pressure is adequately controlled and stable.

If you have had a blood transfusion, the waiting period before you can give blood is 12 months. If you received only autologous blood (that is you donated prior to a procedure and were transfused with your own blood), then you are able to continue donating with a letter from your doctor verifying the only blood transfused was autologous blood.

Refer to piercings.

It is not advisable to donate blood while breast-feeding. Following childbirth, the deferral period is at least 9 (nine) months (as for pregnancy) and until your baby is significantly weaned (i.e. getting most of his/her nutrition from solids).

In most cases, the Blood Service accepts people who remain free of cancer five years after the completion of treatment. The five year deferral is to protect the donor's health by ensuring as far as possible that the cancer is gone and will not recur. Five years is the period most often used by cancer doctors to define a presumed cure.

However, people with a history of cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma that involve the blood production system directly, are permanently excluded from donating for the benefit of their own health.

Please call 13 14 95 and ask to speak to Medical Services if you have any queries about eligibility.

When all your spots are completely clean and dry, the Blood Service can use your plasma to provide valuable antibodies to people at risk of infection with chicken pox. Your entire whole blood donation can be used four weeks after a complete and full recovery.

At least 9 months, or longer if still breast-feeding significantly at 9 months. See also breast-feeding.

Cholesterol-lowering medication prescribed to prevent coronary artery disease does not affect your eligibility to donate. However, people with existing coronary artery disease must not donate blood for safety reasons.

Scientists have recently identified a possible link between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and a virus called XMRV. We would like to point out that at present there is no evidence that this virus causes disease. Despite the fact that this link has not been proven, the Blood Service is taking the precautionary measure of deferring donors who have ever had CFS from donating blood. This precaution has been taken to protect blood recipients until more is known about XMRV.

The new policy will be reviewed within 2 years in the expectation that further data will become available to allow a more definitive assessment of the link between XMRV and CFS.

Yes, provided you are not suffering a current episode. Any lesions from a previous episode must be clean and dry.

For your safety and for the safety of the recipient of your blood, you should not donate until you are fully recovered and feeling fit and well.

Yes. Taking birth control pills (oral contraceptives) has no effect on your ability to donate blood.

Legislation prohibits the collection of blood donations from anyone who has been imprisoned (in prison or lockup for more than 72 hours) within the last 12 months. The reason for this restriction is that the incidence of hepatitis C, hepatitis B and HIV infection is significantly higher in the prison population compared to the general community.

You can donate blood 4 weeks after recovery from dengue fever.

For treatments such as cleaning, fillings and braces, we can only use the plasma from your donation if you donate within the first 24 hours after the treatment. After this 24 hour period, provided you are otherwise well, we are able to use the other components of your donation. Please call 13 14 95 for limitations that apply for other treatments.

If you have no complications from your diabetes such as eye, blood vessel related or kidney problems and your diabetes is well controlled through diet or oral medication, you will be able to donate.

If you require insulin to control your diabetes, please call Medical Services on 13 14 95 to discuss your eligibility.

If, however, you are free from complications, your diabetes is well controlled and you have not used bovine (cattle-derived) insulin in the past, you will generally still be able to donate.

As diarrhoea can be due to a variety of causes, you have to wait up to 1-4 weeks after recovery. You can speak to Medical Services about your symptoms and eligibility by calling 13 14 95.

This will depend on what drug was taken and how and when it was taken. If you have ever used intravenous (IV) drugs not prescribed by a registered medical practitioner, even once, you will not be eligible to donate. The Australian Red Cross Blood Service values the privacy of donors. All interviews are conducted in private and donor confidentiality is always maintained.

Please call 13 14 95 for further information.

Refer to piercings.

Because the term fibromyalgia describes a variety of conditions you should call 13 14 95 and ask to speak to Medical Services to discuss your condition.

Yes, as the flu vaccine (both seasonal flu and H1N1 or 'swine' flu) is made from 'killed/inactivated/recombinant' material it generally does not affect eligibility, so you will be able to donate.

Glandular fever is caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). You can donate 2 weeks after you have fully recovered from glandular fever. If you had yellow jaundice' or hepatitis associated with glandular fever, you will be deferred for 12 months. When you return, you should notify the interviewer who will then request that additional testing is performed on your donation.

Haemoglobin is a protein which contains iron. It is packaged in red blood cells and its function is to transport oxygen around the body. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of low haemoglobin.
The Blood Service requires a finger prick test before every donation to ensure donors have an acceptable haemoglobin level.
If you have been diagnosed with anaemia or low haemoglobin, you can’t donate until it has been fully investigated and appropriately treated.

Recipes for meals high in iron can be found here.

To protect your health and safety, the Blood Service is unable to accept you as a blood donor.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by infection (such as with the hepatitis A or B viruses) or an unknown cause, and you can't donate until at least 12 months after full recovery. After that, the next time you come into the donor centre, extra testing will be performed on your donation.
Please note, however, that if you have/had hepatitis C, you are permanently ineligible to donate.

Yes, provided you are not suffering a current episode. Any lesions from a recent episode must be clean and dry.

You may donate between episodes.

Hypoglycaemia is a term that indicates low blood sugar. There are many reasons for low blood sugar such as can occur with the treatment of diabetes. If you have symptoms of hypoglycaemia and it is not related to diabetes or other serious illness, you can donate provided that you have eaten properly within 2 hours prior to donating. As with all donors, you should also drink plenty of fluids both before and after donation.

Although the number of cases of vCJD (the human form of 'mad cow disease') in the UK is declining, in the absence of a screening test, the full extent of exposure is not known.

The Blood Service is monitoring progress in the development of a reliable blood screening test for vCJD. Should this deferral policy be changed for any reason, please be assured that this information will be disseminated widely. You can find more information here.

If you have had influenza or a flu-like illness with fever, you are able to donate two weeks after you have made a full recovery.

The Blood Service offers a service to patients with medical conditions such as haemochromatosis, which is one of several causes of high iron.
Your doctor will need to request this service for you before you donate as certain criteria need to be met.

Further information and request forms can be found here
Please call 13 14 95 and speak to one of our Medical Services staff if you have any queries about this service.

Iron is a mineral nutrient essential to make haemoglobin and for the body to function normally.
Low iron is the most common cause of low haemoglobin. However, if you are low in iron, it’s possible to have enough for a normal haemoglobin level.
If you have been diagnosed with low iron (with or without low haemoglobin) you can’t donate until it (and low haemoglobin if present) has been fully investigated, appropriately treated and corrected. This may include iron replacement therapy and/or dietary changes to increase iron intake.

Recipes for meals high in iron can be found here.

No, people with a history of leukaemia or lymphoma are permanently excluded from donating for the benefit of their own health.

Our current guidelines state that as long as your doctor has excluded any serious ongoing liver disease we can accept you back as a blood donor. Please call 13 14 95 and ask to speak to Medical Services if you would like to know more.

Lyme disease is caused by bites of certain species of ticks. You are eligible to donate 2 weeks after you have recovered fully and are certified fit by your doctor.

Most prescribed medicines do not defer someone from donating, however, the underlying condition for which the medication has been prescribed may affect eligibility to donate. There are some specific medications that should not be given to pregnant women and new-born babies, for example Roaccutane (for the treatment of acne) and Neotigason (for the treatment of psoriasis). If you are taking any of these medications you will be deferred whilst taking the medication and for a certain time afterwards to ensure it does not remain in your blood. Please call 13 14 95 if you have any queries about medications.

Menstruation does not affect the ability of most women to donate.

No. As the cause for MS is still unknown, the possibility of a transmissible cause (e.g. virus) cannot be excluded.

If you have been diagnosed as having osteoporosis you will only be eligible to donate whole blood or plasma by apheresis. Currently there are unresolved concerns surrounding the collection of platelets by apheresis and the effect on bone density of people with osteoporosis. As a precautionary measure (to ensure your health), you will be unable to donate platelets by apheresis. Please call 13 14 95 and ask to speak to Medical Services to discuss this further.

No. The Blood Service receives only voluntary donations of blood. This is in keeping with international World Health Organisation and Red Cross policy that encourages the concept of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation to support safe blood supply.

Ear piercing: If you have just had your ears pierced and this was performed with clean, single use (disposable) equipment, only the plasma portion of your donation can be used for 24 hours following the procedure. You can then donate blood for full use. If sterile single-use (disposable) equipment was not used, or if you were unsure if it was used, you are eligible to donate again six months after the ear piercing procedure. You should inform the donor centre interviewer if you are unsure what kind of equipment was used.

All other piercings: If you have had another body part pierced and this was performed with clean, single use (disposable) equipment, only the plasma portion of your donation can be used for four months following the procedure. You can then donate blood for full use. If sterile single-use (disposable) equipment was not used, or if you were unsure if it was used you are eligible to donate again six months after the piercing procedure. You should inform the donor centre interviewer if you are unsure what kind of equipment was used.

Polycythaemia (rubra) vera is a disease of the bone marrow causing over-production of red blood cells. One of the treatments for this condition is regular removal of blood (venesection) and your doctor may have even referred you to the Blood Service for venesection. Due to the underlying condition, your donation will not be used for transfusion.

Pregnant women are temporarily deferred from donating to avoid any stresses on the mother's and baby's circulation. After childbirth, there is an additional 9 months deferral period from the date of delivery in order to allow adequate time for iron stores to replenish. See also breast-feeding.

Women who have had an early pregnancy loss are temporarily deferred from donating to allow adequate time for their body iron stores to be replenished.

If the pregnancy loss occurred during the first or second trimester, the deferral period is 6 months. For a third trimester pregnancy loss, the deferral period is 9 months.

If you have any reason to believe you may have acquired an infection through unprotected sex, you should not donate.

Safe sex practices are vital to the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. However, 'protected sex' is not 100% effective and therefore the Blood Service's guidelines relating to sexual activity are based on the prevalence of infection in certain population groups.

The following questions are asked in regard to sexual activity:

• Have you ever thought you could be infected with HIV or have AIDS?
• In the last 12 months have you engaged in sexual activity with someone who you think might answer yes to any of the questions on the following:

- use of intravenous drugs; or
- infection with HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HTLV; or
- treatment with clotting factors?

• Since your last donation or in the last 12 months have you had sexual activity with a new partner who currently lives or has previously lived overseas?
  

Within the last 12 months have you:

• Had male to male sex (that is, oral or anal sex) with or without a condom? more info
• Had sex (with or without a condom) with a male who you think may have had oral or anal sex (with or without a condom) with another man?
• Been a male or female sex worker (e.g. received payment for sex in money, gifts or drugs?)
• Engaged in sex with a male or female sex worker?
  

If at any time, the answer is 'yes' to any of the above questions, then you will be deferred for 12 months after the last occurrence of any of the above sexual activities.

When you are feeling well and the rash is completely clean and dry, the Blood Service can use your plasma to provide valuable antibodies to people at risk of chicken pox. Four weeks after a complete recovery, your entire blood donation can be used.

If your spleen was removed due to trauma or physical injury you are eligible to donate 6 months after full recovery. If you received a blood transfusion as well, you will not be eligible to donate for 12 months.

If however, your spleen was removed to treat a chronic illness such as immune thrombocytopaenic purpura (ITP) or lymphoma, you are not eligible to donate blood.

If you have surgery planned within 84 days of wishing to donate blood, you may be deferred if there is a risk of significant blood loss associated with the surgery. Please call 13 14 95 and ask to speak to Medical Services to discuss your eligibility.

How long after surgery would I have to wait before I donate?

The length of time in which you are allowed to donate after surgery depends on a number of factors. This includes the medical condition for which you had surgery, the type of surgery and recovery period. Please call 13 14 95 and ask to speak to Medical Services to discuss your eligibility.

If you also received a blood transfusion, the waiting period is 12 months.

You are not eligible to donate if you have SLE because it affects your fitness to tolerate regular blood donation. It is also possible that regular blood donations could affect the severity of chronic inflammatory conditions such as SLE.

You are eligible to donate six months after receiving the tattoo. This also applies to cosmetic tattooing.

The Blood Service tests each donation for ABO (blood type) and Rhesus groups (i.e. positive or negative) and red cell antibodies. We also test for five transfusion-transmissible infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, human T-cell lymphotropic virus [HTLV], and syphilis) using eight different tests. Specifically, we test for antibody to hepatitis C, the hepatitis B surface antigen, antibody to both HIV-1 and HIV-2, antibody to HTLV types I and II and antibodies to syphilis.

The Blood Service also tests all donations for HIV-1 and hepatitis C RNA, as well as hepatitis B DNA, using Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT). This process is different from traditional testing because it looks for the actual presence of viruses, in this case HIV, HCV and HBV. Most other tests detect the presence of antibodies, which are the body's response to an infection and which take time to develop. NAT provides an opportunity to further improve the safety of the blood supply by reducing the 'window period', which is the time between exposure to a virus and the time current tests are able to detect antibodies to the virus.

The Blood Service also tests for malaria. This additional testing will be performed on donors if:

• in the previous three years you have visited an at-risk country; or
• you lived in an at-risk country for six or more months continuously, at any stage of your life; or
• you have ever had malaria.
  

Does the Blood Service notify donors of test results? How long will it take to get notification of abnormal results?

The Blood Service notifies a donor of any abnormal results on infectious disease and red cell antibody screening once testing is completed – usually within two weeks. The donor is advised about their health implications of the positive tests. The information is confidential and released only to the donor and agencies as required by law – such as the State Department of Health.

If I am not contacted, does that mean that I'm OK and have no disease?

No. The purpose of tests conducted by the Blood Service is as a screen to ensure the safest possible transfusions. The testing is confined only to a specific group of blood borne diseases for which there are suitable high volume tests. Donors should not rely on this testing for their own personal health screening. Also, on some occasions laboratory testing can't be performed and in these instances, your donation will not be used.

I received a letter from the Blood Service about a false reactive result. The letter said it was nothing to worry about, but I had a re-test with my doctor to make sure and it was negative. Does this mean I can donate again?

Please call 13 14 95 and ask to speak to Medical Services for more information regarding any test results before donating.

In most cases, yes. However, travel to an area with a risk of insect-borne or animal-borne infections can result in symptomless infection that can be transmitted through blood transfusion. There are three areas of concern related to infection risks with overseas travel.

These are:

• Malaria risk
• HIV risk
• Mad Cow - variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) risk
  

Malaria risk:
Malaria is the most common example of mosquito-borne infection and is prevalent in many tropical and sub-tropical areas. To prevent transmission of malaria the Blood Service will test your blood donation if:

• in the previous three years you have visited an at-risk country; or
• you lived in an at-risk country for six or more months continuously, at any stage of your life; or
• you have ever had malaria

Before we can test, four months must have passed since you left the at-risk country or recovered from the disease.

Until your blood can be tested, only the plasma portion of your donation can be used. This valuable plasma is safely processed into plasma products (which do not transmit the malaria organism).

After four months, testing is performed. If this test is negative, the donation can be used for transfusion into patients. If the test is positive, you will be advised and counselled by one of our counsellors. The small number of donors who test positive will still be able to make a valuable contribution because the plasma portion of their blood can be used.

There is an additional restriction if you have travelled to Papua New Guinea (PNG), due to the higher risk of relapsing malaria. If you have travelled to PNG, only the plasma portion of your donation can be used for a period of three years following your departure from PNG.

HIV risk:
Some overseas countries have a high prevalence of HIV infection among their general communities. A person who has sex with a person who lives in one of these areas is deferred from donating for a period of 12 months after the sexual activity, with or without a condom, in order to exclude the possibility of HIV transmission.

Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) risk
Although the number of cases of vCJD (the human form of 'mad cow disease' or bovine spongiform encephalopathy) in the United Kingdom is declining, in the absence of a screening test, the full extent of exposure is not known.

Since 2004, there have been a small number of reported cases of patients in the United Kingdom (UK) diagnosed with vCJD who have been infected through blood transfusion.

Based on this information, and in the absence of a reliable screening test for vCJD in blood, the Blood Service has implemented policies to reduce the risk of vCJD transmission through blood transfusion in Australia. Currently we exclude people from donating who:

• Have resided in the UK between 1980 and 1996 for a total (cumulative) time of six months or more,

or

• Have received blood transfusions in the UK since 1 January 1980.

Unfortunately, because of the extensive time period covered by the deferral and the possibility of unknowing exposure to beef or beef products, it is not possible to exempt vegetarians who have resided in the UK for a cumulative period of six months or more during the risk years.

The Blood Service is monitoring progress in the development of a reliable blood screening test for vCJD. Should this deferral policy be changed for any reason, please be assured that this information will be disseminated widely.

Take a look at our travellers map
If you have been overseas recently, or are planning to go, take a look at our map to see whether you are able to donate when you return.

You can never give blood if:

• You are HIV positive
• You have hepatitis C
• You have ever injected yourself or been injected with drugs not prescribed by a doctor or dentist
  (even if this was only once)

You will not be able to give blood if, in the past 12 months, you have/or had:

• Sex with another man, even ‘safer sex’ using a condom (if you are a man)
• Sex with a man who has had sex with another man (if you are a woman)
• A partner who has HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C
• A partner who has ever injected themselves with drugs not prescribed by a doctor or dentist
• Sex with a male or female sex worker
• A blood transfusion
• Hepatitis or been in contact with hepatitis
• Been in prison
• Sex with anyone who lives in, or has come from, a country considered to have a high rate of HIV infection.

You should wait one week after receiving any type of vaccine for hepatitis B to donate. Hepatitis A is a different kind of vaccine and it is okay to give blood immediately.

It depends on the type of vaccine. Those made from 'killed/inactivated/recombinant' material generally do not affect eligibility. These include diphtheria, influenza (both seasonal flu and H1N1 or 'swine' flu), hepatitis A, meningococcus, pertussis (whooping cough), pneumococcus, Q fever, tetanus, human papillomavirus (Gardasil) and others.

The exception is hepatitis B. If you have received this vaccine, you should not donate for a week as it may interfere with our testing.

Vaccines made from 'live/attenuated' material restrict our usage of your donation for a short period. For four weeks after your vaccination we can only use the plasma component of your donation. These vaccines include BCG (tuberculosis), measles, mumps, rubella (German measles), Sabin (the oral polio vaccine) and varicella (chicken pox).

If you are unsure about your eligibility to donate after vaccination, please call 13 14 95 and ask to speak to Medical Services.

Yes, as long as there is no broken skin or localised infection around the wart.

The amount of blood your body contains is proportional to your weight. Where a standard donation represents too high a proportion of your blood volume, you will be unable to donate. If you donate whole blood, you need to weigh at least 45kg, and if you donate plasma or platelets by apheresis, you need to weigh at least 50kg.

If you are 16 or 17 years of age and weigh less than 50kg you are not eligible to donate, because both Blood Service and international experience has shown that young donors who weigh less than 50kg are at increased risk of fainting during or following blood donation. Your eligibility can be reassessed if your weight increases or once you have turned 18.

These criteria are in place to protect your health as a donor. If your weight becomes acceptable for blood donation at any time you can be accepted as a blood donor.

Is there any upper weight limit for blood donors?
Yes, this is related to the maximum safe capacity of our donor chairs which may vary from site to site. To find out specific information about your local collection centre, call 13 14 95.

There are plenty of other ways you can help us:

• Encourage your family and friends to give blood. You could even become a youth ambassador or a Club Red coordinator.
• Help the Australian Red Cross by volunteering for one of their humanitarian programs - find out more information.
• And, don’t forget that if for some reason you can’t give blood temporarily, come back and see us again as you may be able to donate next time.
  
  

Most people are able to give blood if they:

• are fit, healthy and not suffering from a cold, flu or other illness at the time of donation
• are aged between 16-70 years (in QLD and WA 16-17 year olds require parental consent)
• weigh more than 45kg (16-17 year olds need to weigh more than 50kg)
• drink up in the 24 hours before donation, especially in warm weather, and have at least 4 good-sized glasses of water/juice in the 3 hours before donating (plasma and platelet donors need to drink at least 6 to 8 glasses)
• eat something in the 3 hours before donating
• bring ID. Please bring at least one form of photo identification.

Additional eligibility criteria apply – click here for more details

Every time a person gives blood they must meet donor eligibility criteria designed to safeguard the health of both the donor and the recipient. The Blood Service regularly reviews the donor guidelines to ensure they continue to meet international quality assurance standards.

Currently there are slightly more than half a million voluntary unpaid donors in Australia.

Every week Australia needs over 26,000 blood donations.

Australian Red Cross Blood Service is a national not-for-profit organisation that forms part of the Australian Red Cross. We are supported by the governments of Australia and are responsible for providing the Australian community with safe, high quality blood and blood products, and organ and bone marrow services for transplantation. We do this with the support of more than half a million voluntary blood donors.

The Blood Service is active in many areas of the health industry. These include vital services related to bone marrow, organ and tissue donation, tissue typing for transplantations, research into blood and blood products, donor and product safety and blood transfusion.

Long weekends put a strain on the nation’s blood supply as there are fewer days to collect the 26,000 blood donations needed every week to treat people in need and there can be an increase in demand for blood and blood products during holiday periods.

Also, many people are away on vacation over public holidays and are unable to donate.

Blood is vital to life and for many people blood donors are their lifeline. Currently only one in 30 people give blood, but one in three people will need blood in their lifetime.

Modern processing techniques mean that a single blood donation, when separated into its components, can help at least three different patients and contribute to making up to 22 different products (including potentially life-saving immunisations for chicken pox, hepatitis B and tetanus).

Your energy level won’t be affected after giving blood but you should avoid strenuous exercise or high-energy activities for 12 hours after donating. Drinking plenty of water will help your body recover.

• Have plenty of liquid the day before donation, especially in warm weather. In addition have at least 4 good-sized glasses of water/juice in the 3 hours before donating (plasma and platelet donors need to drink at least 6 to 8 glasses).
• Have a meal before you arrive as you shouldn’t donate on an empty stomach.
• Bring ID with you (e.g. school ID card; Donor ID card; valid driver’s licence; valid passport).

Some people are nervous about donating in case it hurts.

There’s nothing to worry about, but you don’t have to take our word for it… “I am not scared of needles but I was definitely nervous the first time I gave blood, but it really doesn’t hurt.”
- Sarah, Burnie High School, TAS

The entire appointment takes about an hour including filling out your questionnaire and also having a snack, a drink and a rest afterwards. The actual whole blood donation itself takes around 10 minutes.

It is safe to give blood. All equipment is sterile and needles are only used once then discarded.

We suggest you allow about an hour for your visit to the Blood Service. A standard whole blood collection only takes 5-10 minutes, but it also takes time to fill out the questionnaire, be interviewed privately and enjoy a rest and refreshment afterwards. For your safety it is strongly recommended that you rest for 15 minutes after the blood donation to minimise the risk of fainting.

A plasma donation takes a bit longer - about 45 minutes for the collection component.

• Arrival - you’ll be welcomed by staff and asked to complete a donor questionnaire, which asks about your general health and is completely confidential. It is designed to protect both you and the person who receives your blood.
• Interview - each time you donate, you will be interviewed by a staff member and given a health check which includes checking your haemoglobin level and blood pressure.
• Giving blood - this takes about 10 minutes, but you should allow about an hour from start to finish.
• Relax and refresh - afterwards, you’ll be able to relax in our refreshment area with a bite to eat and a drink. Within 24-48 hours of donating, your blood volume is completely restored.
  
  

Some donor centres are open on the weekend – click here to find out where your nearest donor centre is and what their opening hours are.

There are a number of mobile units available across the country – please call us on 13 14 95 to find out if there’s one in your area.

Call us on 13 14 95 with details of where and when your group will be donating and we’ll let you know if a courtesy bus is available. As the buses can get booked up quickly please give us as much notice as possible.