What’s happening?
Queensland has broad support for organ donation, but many residents have yet to record that decision formally.
New council-level figures released for DonateLife Week track registrations across every Queensland local government area. The data compares new registrations during 2025 with the previous year’s results.
It also estimates the proportion of each eligible local population that has joined the Australian Organ Donor Register.
DonateLife Week runs from Sunday, 26 July until Sunday, 2 August. Anyone aged 16 or older can register through DonateLife or Medicare.
Why it matters?
Formal registration helps families understand a person’s wishes when they are asked to consider donation. DonateLife says families usually support donation when they know their loved one wanted to become a donor.
DonateLife Queensland Nursing Director Tina Coco AO said thousands of Australians still need a life-saving transplant.
“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,” Ms 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.
“Registering as an organ and tissue donor is important because most families agree to donation when they know you want to be a donor.”
Local Impact
Toowoomba’s latest figures show an established donor base, alongside a clear slowdown in residents joining the register.
The council area finished 2025 with an estimated 46,261 registered organ and tissue donors. This represents 35% of Toowoomba’s eligible population.
However, only 1,005 residents joined during 2025, compared with 1,219 in the previous year. That left the region with 214 fewer new registrations, an annual fall of 18%.
Toowoomba still sits above the Queensland average and level with the national rate. The local concern is whether new registrations can regain the ground lost during 2025.
By the Numbers
- Queensland’s donor registration rate sits at 30 per cent, five percentage points below the national figure.
- Around 2,000 Australians remain on the organ transplant waitlist, with some dying before a suitable organ becomes available.
- One organ donor can save up to seven lives and assist more people through eye and tissue donation.
Zoom In
Toowoomba’s 35 per cent registration rate compares favourably with several nearby council areas. Southern Downs recorded 32 per cent, while Western Downs and Lockyer Valley each reached 28 per cent.
Goondiwindi performed slightly better, with 36 per cent of its eligible residents registered. However, it also recorded a sharper annual fall in new registrations at 24 per cent.
The slowdown extended across much of the wider region. New registrations fell by 21 per cent in Southern Downs and 15 per cent in Western Downs. Lockyer Valley recorded a 10 per cent decline.
Toowoomba therefore remains one of the stronger regional centres for overall participation. Yet its 18 per cent fall shows that maintaining that position will require more residents to register.
Zoom Out
Some of Queensland’s smallest communities recorded the state’s highest overall participation rates. Barcoo led at 53 per cent, followed by Bulloo at 45 per cent.
Quilpie reached 42 per cent, while Winton recorded 40 per cent. These results show that population size does not determine community participation.
For heart recipient Sienna Howkins, those percentages represent people receiving more time with their families. A donor heart saved her life 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,” Ms 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.”
The council figures are estimates because registrations are recorded by postcode and matched with local government boundaries. Post office box registrations are excluded because they cannot be linked to a resident population.
Areas with registration rates below 10 per cent are reported generally as less than 10 per cent.
The data comes from the Organ and Tissue Authority, Services Australia and Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates. Waitlist figures come from the 2025 ANZOD Annual Report.
What To Look For Next?
DonateLife Week continues until Sunday, 2 August, with Toowoomba residents encouraged to register and discuss their wishes with family.
Registration takes about one minute through DonateLife or Medicare. A stronger local response could help rebuild momentum following the 18 per cent fall recorded in 2025.
