The federal government is ramping up pressure on states and territories to reintroduce organ donor registration through driver’s licence systems, arguing the change could dramatically boost donor numbers across the country.
It comes as a Geelong woman who received a life-saving liver transplant shares her story in support of the push.
Maddie Muir was just 23 when she was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease that attacks and destroys the liver.
She could “barely get off the couch most days” because she was “so unwell.”
Over the years, her condition deteriorated significantly, leaving her waiting for a transplant as her health became increasingly critical.
Her family said her life was “on hold”, with the growing toll more and more obvious.
After months on the transplant waiting list, Maddie finally received the phone call that changed her life.
Now, she’s made a total transformation.
Do you have a story about organ donation? Contact joe.attanasio@yahooinc.com
Maddie lived with a rare autoimmune disease that attacks and destroys the liver. But now, she’s felt better than she has in years.
(9News)Victorian woman’s success story sparks national appeal
Only weeks after surgery, she says she is feeling better than she has in years.
“I feel amazing,” Maddie told 9News.
“I can’t wipe the smile off my face — it gives me chills trying to think about how to say thank you to people who have gone on the organ registration.”
Maddie’s using the opportunity to advocate for the licence change that she believes will help more people like her.
Reintroducing donor registration on driver’s licences “is one method to address organ shortage”, Senior Lecturer in Medical Sciences, Dr Roger Lord from Australian Catholic University, told Yahoo News Australia.
“It is a simple, cost-effective change if you only need to have drivers tick the box to indicate willingness to donate,” he had earlier said.
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The campaign to simplify donor registration follows concerns over declining sign-up rates since organ donation was removed from driver’s licence systems in every participating state except South Australia in 2002.
In South Australia, where it still exists, the registration rate is about 74 per cent.
That’s compared with the national average of about 35 per cent.
Currently, Australians must register through Medicare or DonateLife.
But the federal government is pushing states and territories to make it as easy as possible for people to register.
States and territories urged to follow SA’s lead
South Australian Health and Wellbeing Minister Blair Boyer said it’s a simple change that could make an overwhelming difference on a national scale.
“South Australia is proud to be leading the way on organ and tissue donation, and we believe the evidence makes a strong case for national adoption,” he said.
“Including organ and tissue donation on drivers’ licences removes barriers and prompts people to make a decision at a familiar and trusted point in their lives.
“South Australia’s registration rate of 74 per cent speaks for itself. This is a straightforward reform that we believe should be adopted nationally.”
South Australia is leading the way with the highest number of registered organ donors. Victoria and the Northern Territory and bringing up the rear. Source: Parliament of Victoria
Queensland and Victoria are considering changes to increase the number of organ donor registrations.
Discussions are also being held with Queensland Health, the state’s Customer Service Minister Steve Minnikin confirmed.
The Northern Territory and ACT never had the scheme.
In 2025, there were 147,969 new registrations on the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR). This is 15 per cent less than 2024, according to DonateLife.
For Maddie, the debate is about giving others the same chance she received.
“We all deserve a second chance,” she said.
Quick statistics on organ donation
Only two per cent of people who die in Australian hospitals meet the criteria to donate their organs
2,000 Aussies are waiting for organ transplants
An additional 14,000 people are on dialysis for kidney failure
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