Organ donors needed, data reveals COVID-19 impacted transplant rates

National organ donation and transplant data for 2020 shows while Australia's donation rate has doubled over the past decade, the national program took a hit in 2020 due to COVID-19.

"Australians from all walks of life faced great challenges and adversity in 2020 and those waiting for life-changing organ transplants were no different," federal minister responsible for the Organ and Tissue Authority Mark Coulton said.

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Data revealed last year there was a 12 per cent reduction in the number of people receiving a transplant, and a 16 per cent decrease in organ donors compared to 2019.

There were also 18 per cent less kidney transplants performed, resulting in 153 fewer renal patients receiving the kidney transplant they needed.

Organ and Tissue Authority CEO Lucinda Barry said the transplant sector took precautionary steps at the start of the pandemic, suspending kidney transplant programs from late-March through to mid-May.

This was to prevent transplant patients at high risk being exposed to the virus and concern about hospitals being overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients.

Urgent heart, lung, liver and paediatric transplants continued during this time for critically ill patients.

"It's not surprising to see that the 2020 outcomes have been impacted, but minimising the risks to transplant and waiting list patients has been the priority for everyone involved," Ms Barry said.

"To minimise the impacts, our DonateLife teams worked hard with transplant teams to navigate the challenges facing hospitals and with logistics - including with COVID-19 restrictions, flight reductions and border closures - so that patients received the best possible outcomes."

Mr Coulton said 1270 Australian lives were saved in 2020 through an organ transplant thanks to the generosity of 463 deceased organ donors and their families.

"Families have continued to show their strength and generosity in agreeing to donation, even with the added COVID-19 complexities in intensive care units," he said.

Around 1650 Australians are on the wait list for a transplant and more than 12,000 others are on dialysis, many in need of a kidney transplant.

Mr Coulton said data shows registering to become a donor and talking to your family about your decision has a direct influence on consent rates.

"The best chance we have to address the challenge of a longer wait-list is to have more Australians say 'yes' to donation," he said.

To register to become a donor or to double-check your registration visit donatelife.gov.au .

Living organ donation and eye and tissue donation outcomes will soon be released in the Organ and Tissue Authority's 2020 Activity Report.