{"id":10665,"date":"2026-05-13T19:32:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T19:32:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/10665\/"},"modified":"2026-05-13T19:32:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T19:32:10","slug":"push-for-tiny-detail-to-be-added-to-all-aussie-drivers-licences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/10665\/","title":{"rendered":"Push for tiny detail to be added to all Aussie driver’s licences"},"content":{"rendered":"

The federal government is ramping up pressure on states and territories to reintroduce organ donor registration<\/a> through driver\u2019s licence systems,<\/a> arguing the change could dramatically boost donor numbers across the country.<\/a><\/p>\n

It comes as a Geelong woman who received a life-saving liver transplant shares her story in support of the push.<\/p>\n

Maddie Muir was just 23 when she was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease that attacks and destroys the liver.<\/p>\n

She could \u201cbarely get off the couch most days\u201d because she was \u201cso unwell.”<\/p>\n

Over the years, her condition deteriorated significantly, leaving her waiting for a transplant as her health became increasingly critical.<\/p>\n

Her family said her life was \u201con hold\u201d, with the growing toll more and more obvious.<\/p>\n

After months on the transplant waiting list, Maddie finally received the phone call that changed her life.<\/p>\n

Now, she\u2019s made a total transformation.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story about organ donation? Contact joe.attanasio@yahooinc.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Geelong<\/p>\n

Maddie lived with a rare autoimmune disease that attacks and destroys the liver. But now, she’s felt better than she has in years.<\/p>\n

(9News)Victorian woman\u2019s success story sparks national appeal<\/p>\n

Only weeks after surgery, she says she is feeling better than she has in years.<\/p>\n

“I feel amazing,\u201d Maddie told 9News.<\/p>\n

“I can’t wipe the smile off my face \u2014 it gives me chills trying to think about how to say thank you to people who have gone on the organ registration.”<\/p>\n

Maddie\u2019s using the opportunity to advocate for the licence change that she believes will help more people like her.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

“It is a simple, cost-effective change if you only need to have drivers tick the box to indicate willingness to donate,\u201d he had earlier said.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/p>\n

The campaign to simplify donor registration follows concerns over declining sign-up rates since organ donation was removed from driver\u2019s licence systems in every participating state except South Australia in 2002.<\/p>\n

In South Australia, where it still exists, the registration rate is about 74 per cent.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s compared with the national average of about 35 per cent.<\/p>\n

Currently, Australians must register through Medicare or DonateLife.<\/p>\n

But the federal government is pushing states and territories to make it as easy as possible for people to register.<\/p>\n

States and territories urged to follow SA\u2019s lead<\/p>\n

South Australian Health and Wellbeing Minister Blair Boyer said it’s a simple change that could make an overwhelming difference on a national scale.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“Including organ and tissue donation on drivers\u2019 licences removes barriers and prompts people to make a decision at a familiar and trusted point in their lives.<\/p>\n

“South Australia\u2019s registration rate of 74 per cent speaks for itself. This is a straightforward reform that we believe should be adopted nationally.”<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

Queensland and Victoria are considering changes to increase the number of organ donor registrations.<\/p>\n

Discussions are also being held with Queensland Health, the state’s Customer Service Minister Steve Minnikin confirmed.<\/p>\n

The Northern Territory and ACT never had the scheme.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

For Maddie, the debate is about giving others the same chance she received.<\/p>\n

“We all deserve a second chance,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Quick statistics on organ donation<\/p>\n

Only two per cent of people who die in Australian hospitals meet the criteria to donate their organs<\/p>\n

2,000 Aussies are waiting for organ transplants<\/p>\n

An additional 14,000 people are on dialysis for kidney failure<\/p>\n

You can also follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n