Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Programme start and how long will it last?
The Programme will operate for two years from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2017.
How do I get involved and register my interest?
Information on the Programme is available on the Department of Health website.
You can submit enquiries or register your interest by:
 Completing the Supporting Leave for Living Organ Donors Programme online form.
OR
 Emailing livingorgandonation@health.gov.au.
What types of donors are eligible?
Kidney and partial liver donors are eligible for this Programme.
Is there any support available for unemployed living organ donors?
Unemployed living organ donors are not eligible for the Programme.
Are self-funded retirees eligible?
No, self-funded retirees are not eligible for the Programme.
How many places will be available in the Programme?
The number of people who can apply for the Programme is not limited. However, applicants will
need to have met all eligibility criteria.
Who is eligible for the payment?
An applicant must be an Australian citizen or Australian Permanent Resident with a Medicare
number.
The applicant must be employed in a full time, part time, casual or a self-employed capacity, by a
business with a current registered Australian Business Number (ABN). For the purpose of this
initiative, a person is classed as employed if they have been continuously employed with the same
employer for at least 28 days (56 days for casual employees) prior to the start date of the leave
period being claimed.
Where an applicant is in part-time or casual employment, payments are based on average hours
worked for the 28 days prior to the start date of the leave period being claimed.
How much will the payment be un der this initiative?
Payments are calculated for up to nine weeks of leave, based on a 38-hour week, at up to the
National Minimum Wage. The total will depend on how much leave the donor took and how much
the employer paid them.
Who receives the payment?
The payment is made to employers of living organ donors. The payment is to either replenish an
employee's leave or contribute towards reimbursing the employer, where they have made a
payment to their employee in place of income lost due to organ donation.
If my employer doesn’t want to be part of the Programme, can I still receive the
support?
No, payments are made directly to the employer so the cooperation of your employer is necessary to
participate in the Programme.
What happens if a donor attends work-up tests but donation does not proceed?
Partial payment can be made where the donor attends “work up” tests but the donation does not
proceed due to medical ineligibility. Payment can only be made where the potential donor has taken
formal leave for appointments.
Can I take my entitled paid leave in combination with leave for living organ
donation?
The leave may be taken in conjunction with other paid leave, or can be topped up by the employer,
but the amount of pay should not be more than the employee’s regular wage.
Where a donor elects to receive their regular paid sick leave or annual leave, the funding is to be
used to credit the donor’s leave entitlements.
What will be the impact my business?
In 2014, there were 269 living organ donors. Therefore the overall impact on business is expected to
be minimal. The programme is not legislated, employers are not compelled to participate, but they
are strongly encouraged to.
The donor employee will be responsible for submitting the application. The employer will need to be
aware of, and support the application. The process is designed to be as simple as possible so
employers are not unduly burdened by administration.
The employer will be required to provide a brief confirmation that the payment was passed to the
employee in full as paid leave, or as leave credits.
Will employees receive the payment plus their usual paid leave?
The payment is not intended to be paid at the same time as an employee’s paid leave. Employers are
encouraged to “top-up” a donor employee’s paid leave to their regular income.
Is the payment considered taxable income?
Yes, the payment is subject to all taxation and superannuation arrangements that apply to income
paid to an employee.
Is payment at the National Minimum Wage sufficient?
This Programme aligns with the Paid Parental Leave Programme, which is also paid at the National
Minimum Wage. Employers can choose to “top up” their employee’s leave to a level based on their
regular income.
Could this be seen as incentivising organ donation?
Incentivisation of organ donation is illegal. The Programme is not a direct payment to donors. It is
designed to help ensure that a donor’s normal income stream need not be interrupted because of
their decision to donate. Therefore, unemployed people who may be eligible for support through
other Government assistance programs such as the Newstart allowance cannot access the
Programme.
The financial contribution will be paid to employers, not organ donors, to be passed on in the form of
paid leave. Only employed donors are eligible under this proposal. The payment is up to the
minimum wage for up to nine weeks, based on the income the employee would have earned. Under
the World Health Organization’s Guiding Principles on human cell, tissue and organ transplantation
“…prohibition on sale or purchase of cells, tissues and organs does not preclude reimbursing
reasonable and verifiable expenses incurred by the donor, including loss of income…”
I want to donate a kidney. How do I become a living organ donor?
To make the decision to become a living organ donor requires you to be fully informed of the
potential health risks and benefits. It is not usual practice for someone to donate an organ to
someone they do not know. Most living organ donors donate because a loved one is very sick, either
in end stage kidney disease or liver failure.
Should you wish to consider organ donation further, you will first need to speak to a medical
professional such as your GP or make contact with a hospital transplant unit to ensure you are fully
informed before making such a decision.
Further information on living organ donation can be obtained from the Kidney Health Australia
website.