Gold Coast donor rate above the state average
Gold Coast donor sign-ups fell in 2025 as DonateLife calls on more Queensland residents to register.
What’s Happening?
New DonateLife data has highlighted the need for more registered organ and tissue donors across Queensland.
The data covers every Queensland local government area and compares new registrations during 2025 with the previous year. It also shows the total share of eligible residents registered in each area.
The figures were released ahead of DonateLife Week, which runs from Sunday, 26 July, until Sunday, 2 August.
DonateLife is asking Queensland residents to take one minute to register through Medicare or the website. Anyone aged 16 or older can join the Australian Organ Donor Register.
The campaign also encourages registered donors to discuss their decision with family members. Knowing someone’s wishes can help relatives support donation when the time comes.
Why It Matters?
Most Australians support organ and tissue donation, but many have not formally registered their decision.
Around 2,000 Australians are currently waiting for an organ transplant. Some people die before a suitable donor becomes available.
DonateLife Queensland Nursing Director Tina Coco AO said Australians could help by registering and speaking with their families.
“There are currently around 2,000 Australians on the organ transplant waitlist who need Australia’s help. For those waiting it can be a matter of life and death,” Coco said. “This DonateLife Week, I’m urging everyone to please register as an organ and tissue donor. Then, talk to your family - let them know you want to be a donor - someone’s life depends on it.”
Coco said family conversations were important because relatives often help make the final donation decision.
“Registering as an organ and tissue donor is important because most families agree to donation when they know you want to be a donor.”
One organ donor can save up to seven lives. Eye and tissue donation can also improve the lives of many more people.
Local Impact
The Gold Coast recorded fewer new donor registrations during 2025, despite maintaining a rate above the Queensland average.
A total of 3,592 Gold Coast residents joined the register during the year. This was down from 4,316 new registrations in 2024.
The result represented a 17% decline, with 724 fewer residents registering than the previous year. By the end of 2025, an estimated 173,486 eligible Gold Coast residents were listed on the register. This represented 34% of the eligible local population.
The Gold Coast rate was four percentage points above the Queensland average. However, it remained one percentage point below the national rate.
The figures show that many Gold Coast residents support donation, but fewer recorded their decision in 2025. A higher local rate could give more families clarity during difficult circumstances.
Residents can register online or through Medicare in about one minute. They should then tell their families about their decision.
By the Numbers
Around 2,000 Australians are waiting for an organ transplant, making every registered donor decision important.
Only 30% of eligible Queensland residents are registered, compared with 35% nationally.
One organ donor can save up to seven lives and help many others through eye and tissue donation.
Zoom In
Heart recipient Sienna Howkins knows how one donor decision can change a life. She received a donor heart when she was 19.
“I’m so thankful to have a heart, and to my donor. I’m trying to do the most with what I have to give for my donor family as well,” Howkins said. “In my heart, I know they’ll be very happy to see that I’m living the biggest life I can. I’m able to live this life because of them.”
Her experience supports DonateLife’s call for Gold Coast residents to register and share their wishes with family members.
Registration records a person’s decision, while family conversations ensure those wishes are understood. Families are more likely to agree when they already know what their loved one wanted.
Zoom Out
Other Queensland regions also recorded fewer new donor registrations during 2025:
Redland: 1,121 new registrations, down 14%. Overall, 37% of eligible residents are registered.
Townsville: 1,169 new registrations, down 21%. Its overall registration rate is 36%.
Toowoomba: 1,005 new registrations, down 18%. Its overall registration rate is 35%.
Mackay: 696 new registrations, down 18%. Its overall registration rate is also 35%.
Rockhampton: 397 new registrations, down 26%. Overall, 32% of eligible residents are registered.
Smaller Queensland communities recorded some of the state’s highest rates. Barcoo, Bulloo, Quilpie and Winton each exceeded 40%.
The figures estimate the Australian Organ Donor Register totals to the end of 2025. Registrations were recorded by postcode and matched with population estimates.
Post office box registrations were excluded because they could not be matched to resident populations. Rates below 10 per cent were listed as less than 10 per cent.
The data came from the Organ and Tissue Authority, Services Australia and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Waitlist figures came from the 2025 Australia and New Zealand Organ Donation Registry annual report.
What To Look For Next?
DonateLife Week will run from Sunday, 26 July, until Sunday, 2 August.
The campaign could encourage more Gold Coast residents to formally record their decision after registrations fell during 2025.