by Adam Miller
Signing up to become an organ donor will become easier for Whitehorse and Boroondara residents under the latest reforms announced by the State Government.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas recently tabled the Government’s response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into increasing the number of registered organ and tissue donors – outlining full support for the report’s 41 recommendations. The response outlines full support for 17 of the Inquiry’s recommendations, with a further 24 supported either in principle or in part, to boost Victoria’s registered donation numbers. This Government support will ensure that donor registration pathways will be expanded.
Updates include upgrades to Victoria’s driver licence system, which will allow residents to sign up to the Australian Organ Donor Register.
For Whitehorse resident Sharon Johnson, the decision to sign up as an organ donor was simple. “To be able to give someone a second chance at living life to the fullest would be something I would want to do,” Ms Johnson said. “If even one of my organs is healthy enough to continue to be used, there’s no reason why they should not be”. Ms Johnson’s thoughts are echoed by the 7,941,608 Australian residents who, according to MyGov, are registered as organ donors as of October 2025.
Victoria leads the way nationwide in both the number of deceased organ donors and lives saved.
Readers can sign up to become an organ and tissue donor by visiting donatelife.gov.au/register-donor-today