Australia is making significant strides in modernising its blood and plasma donation policies to be more inclusive and evidence-based. Source: Getty

In a world-leading move, Australia is lifting restrictions that have long prevented many gay, bisexual and transgender people from donating plasma, with historic changes to blood donation screening set to follow next year amid critical shortages.

From July 14 most sexual activity-based wait times will be removed for plasma donation, including for people taking PrEP [a tablet to prevent HIV infection], allowing tens of thousands more people to donate.

Inclusive, gender-neutral rules for blood donation have also been approved and are expected to be implemented in 2026, bringing an end to gendered screening questions and marking a major shift in how all donors are assessed. That means any person, regardless of their sexual orientation, will have to follow the same criteria to donate, removing specific questions targeting gay, bisexual and trans women who have sex with men.

Speaking to Yahoo News Australia on Wednesday morning, a Lifeblood spokeswoman said the changes were a long time in the making.

"It's a rigorous process when any changes happen in the health system, but we've gotten there," she said. "So from the 14th of July, restrictions are lifted on plasma — meaning gay, bi, trans and PrEP users can donate plasma without a wait time — that includes sex workers and some other groups.

"The estimate, done by the Kirby Institute, is that this change could affect around 600,000 people. The only restriction that remains in place is if you have HIV, or if you have a partner with HIV."

Inclusive, gender-neutral rules for blood donation have also been approved and are expected to be implemented in 2026. Source: Getty

How do blood donations work in Australia?

Australia’s donated blood is rigorously tested at every stage — including screening for blood type, antibodies, HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and bacterial contamination — performed in TGA‑licensed labs to ensure only safe blood reaches patients, with any positive samples destroyed immediately.

Blood is made up of several components, including red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Plasma is the clear, yellowish liquid portion that carries these cells, along with nutrients, hormones, and proteins, throughout the body. While whole blood donations include all components, plasma donations collect only the liquid part, which can be processed and used to treat a variety of medical conditions, such as immune disorders and clotting problems.

Under the new system, people in a sexual relationship of six months or more with a single partner will be eligible to donate blood. Those with new or multiple partners may also be eligible, provided they haven’t had anal sex in the past three months.

Importantly, men will no longer be singled out and asked if they’ve had sex with another man — a major step toward a more inclusive and stigma-free donation process. "Questions for all donors will instead be replaced with: 'Do you have a new partner?' and 'Have you been having anal sex in the last three months with this new partner?" the spokeswoman explained.

"That will mean a wait time if you have, but if it’s a monogamous relationship and it’s not a new partner, then you’ll be able to donate. And men and women will both be asked the same questions."

Now, Australia is at the forefront globally in modernising blood and plasma donation policies to be more inclusive and evidence-based. We now join a small but growing group of countries prioritising safety while reducing stigma for LGBTQ+ donors.

Similar gender-neutral donation systems have been implemented in countries like the United Kingdom and Italy, where questions focus on individual sexual behaviour rather than identity, allowing more people to donate safely. However, Australia’s move to eliminate wait times for plasma donation among PrEP users and men who have sex with men places it among the world leaders in progressive, scientifically informed donor eligibility.

LGBTQI+ campaigners have long championed such a change, with advocates welcoming the announcement on Wednesday.

"About bloody time! Gay and bisexual men have some of the highest levels of sexual health practice and literacy, and I look forward to joining gay and bisexual men across Sydney and Australia in donating blood," Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich said.

Safety for donors remains Lifeblood's 'top priority'

Lifeblood’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Jo Pink, said given that the plasma is the donation type most needed by Australian patients, the change couldn't come at a better time. Pink said the safety and well-being of patients who receive donations remains, as always, at the forefront in decision-making.

“With more than 600,0000 people estimated to be covered by the previous wait times, we now anticipate an extra 24,000 donors, and 95,000 extra donations of plasma to be made each year," she said. "There are many steps that Lifeblood needs to take before we can implement the new gender-neutral assessments, including working with state and territory governments to change the donor questionnaire. We hope to be able to implement this part of the change next year.

"Blood safety is and always will be our top priority, but we know the current donation rules have been very difficult for many people in the LGBTQIA+ community. While they were put in place to ensure a safe blood supply in the past, we know that they’ve contributed to the stigma faced by the community.

"We hope as we move through the process of seeking to have both these changes introduced, this will be a turning point for both Lifeblood and the LGBTQIA+ community."

This article originally appeared on Yahoo News Australia at https://au.news.yahoo.com/600000-aussies-to-benefit-amid-major-blood-donation-overhaul-about-bloody-time-012703283.html