In recognition of the generosity and importance of organ and tissue donors in our community, the ACT is now the first jurisdiction in Australia where families have the option to have their loved one’s donation acknowledged in the death register and on the donor’s death certificate. Families can also request a written letter from the Chief Minister acknowledging the gift of life.
“Organ and tissue donations transform and save many lives across the country each year,” Minister for Human Rights Tara Cheyne said.
“While there are a number of ways in which organ and tissue donation is acknowledged, families have consistently stressed to me that there would be value in having further formal options to have their loved one’s gift recognised,” said Minister Cheyne.
From Thursday, 6 May a donor’s next of kin can apply to have the statement “The deceased gave a gift of life, generously donating organs/tissue” added to the death register and the donor’s death certificate.
A letter from the Chief Minister to the donor’s family, acknowledging the precious donation, can be requested at the same time as – or separately to – the request to have this acknowledgment reflected on the death certificate.
The ACT is the first jurisdiction in Australia to provide these further acknowledgment options to families.
Key principles guiding these acknowledgments are that they are optional, entirely up to the family and not-time limited. This ensures that families have control and agency in deciding if, how and when they wish to have their loved one’s donation recognised.
By not being time-limited, this removes any urgency in needing to decide about the acknowledgement and recognises that what might be right for each family can change over time. It also means that families whose deceased loved one was an organ and/or tissue donor before these reforms came into effect will have these acknowledgment options available to them, too.
If at any time a death certificate has been previously issued and a family requests that it be amended to include the acknowledgement, there will be no extra cost.
Chris Fonda, whose partner Quinn died and donated his organs in 2018, welcomes the ACT government’s donor acknowledgement.
“Making the decision to donate is very difficult for donor families who are coming to terms with a huge loss. Even though the grief is still with me, knowing part of Quinn lives on in others feels like he still exists and gives transplant recipients life to cherish as much as I cherished Quinn.
“Quinn gave the gift of life to complete strangers, which reinforces his selflessness and altruistic nature in his life on earth. To have his gift acknowledged by the Chief Minister is special, and will help me continue to heal.
“I know Quinn would have wanted his organ donation acknowledged and included on his death certificate, and these changes make me feel like I have fulfilled his wishes.”
Minister Cheyne sincerely thanked the many donor families, Gift of Life ACT, DonateLife and Donor Families Australia for working closely with the ACT Government and sharing many deeply personal stories in bringing about this important reform.
To be eligible for an acknowledgment, the donor must have passed away in the ACT.
To apply, visit the Access Canberra website at www.act.gov.au/organdonation.
You can find out more about organ and tissue donation and how to register as a donor at www.donatelife.gov.au.
