<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australia's blood donation rules have been overhauled as of today, removing barriers for the LGBTQIA+ community and unlocking thousands of extra donations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The updated national guidelines remove sexual orientation as a barrier to donation. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Previously, many gay and bisexual men were barred from donating blood if they'd had sex within three months – now, those in long-term monogamous relationships can donate under the same rules as everyone else.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/trump-says-us-negotiators-will-be-in-pakistan-on-monday-for-talks-with-iran/022537e2-6c72-4ee0-9c8e-00a817fec19d" target="_blank" title="Trump says US negotiators will be in Pakistan on Monday for talks with Iran"><strong><span>Trump says US negotiators will be in Pakistan on Monday for talks with Iran</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Lifeblood Chief Executive Officer Stephen Cornelissen AM said this was an important milestone for blood donation in Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Previous donor rules prevented many people from the LGBTQIA+ community from donating blood or platelets if they'd had sex within the past three months," Mr Cornelissen said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"These latest changes mean many gay and bisexual men and transgender people in long-term, monogamous relationships will become eligible to donate blood or platelets for the first time."</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/blood-donation-guidelines-overhauled-lifeblood-australia/71e5f32c-2c52-4702-8715-6e3f2b3d6a45" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/us-israel-iran-war-update-australia-pledges-to-help-keep-strait-of-hormuz-open-if-deal-is-reached/a23b5f45-e0cd-4ac7-8562-7b73ef07395d" rel="" target="" title=""><strong><span>How Australia has been dragged into the conflict</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The refresh builds on earlier changes to sexual activity rules for plasma donation introduced in July 2025, which have already brought in around 3000 new donors and close to 10,000 donations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Lifeblood's submission to change the criteria underwent assessment by the Therapeutic Goods Administration before being green-lit last year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Patient safety remains the central consideration, with screening processes still in place for anyone whose recent sexual activity may carry a higher risk of infection. Some will still be unable to give blood immediately, but may be eligible to donate plasma.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We know previous rules have been difficult for people in the LGBTQIA+ community, so we'd like to thank them for their support during this journey towards a more inclusive donation experience."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Health authorities expect the overhaul to deliver a significant uptick in supply, with up to 20,000 additional blood donations forecast each year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Around 33,000 donations of blood, plasma and platelets are needed every week to support patients undergoing cancer treatment, people with bleeding disorders, and those recovering from major trauma or accidents.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></strong></em><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>ticking this box here</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Sign up to</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></strong></em></a></li></ul></div></div>