Australia first to end all LGBTQ+ blood donation restrictions

Australia has become the first country in the world to eliminate all sexual activity-based eligibility rules for plasma and blood donation, effective immediately. The move removes previous restrictions on sexually active gay and bisexual men, as well as transgender women who have sex with men, allowing a broader range of individuals to contribute to the life-saving blood supply.

ABC reports that under the updated guidelines, donors who take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV will now be eligible to donate plasma. While people with HIV, or those with a partner who has HIV, remain ineligible to donate either plasma or blood.

Stephen Cornelissen, CEO of Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, emphasized the significance of this change, stating that it "will be a turning point for Lifeblood and the LGBTQIA+ community." He expressed hope that the decision will help reduce stigma and encourage more people to donate.

The gender-neutral assessment changes mean that all donors will answer the same questions about sexual activity, regardless of gender or sexuality. People with new or multiple sexual partners will be able to donate if they have not had anal sex in the past three months.

Dash Heath-Paynter, Chief Executive of Health Equity Matters, celebrated the change, highlighting that it "potentially unlocks thousands of donations of life-saving plasma."

Individuals in monogamous relationships for six months or more will be eligible to donate blood from 2026, following updates to the donor questionnaire to reflect these groundbreaking changes.