Our role in overseas blood supply
In some situations, we supply blood and blood products overseas. We do this under the National Blood Agreement.
The following principles help us apply the policy in specific situations.
Supply for Australians overseas
We may be able to supply blood products for Australians travelling or studying overseas.
We may also be able to supply blood products to Australians serving overseas and in international waters, including:
- Australian Defence Force members
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade employees
- Australian Antarctic Division staff
- Australians involved in medical retrieval operations overseas.
Length of supply
We may be able to supply blood products to Australians who are travelling or living temporarily overseas for up to 12 months in any rolling 24-month period. This time limit helps ensure patients get proper clinical oversight of their treatment.
We can extend this supply in exceptional circumstances, but only by up to 3 months.
If you need an extension, you must apply before your current supply period ends.
We will assess each request on a case-by-case basis.
You are responsible for all costs of shipping and storing your blood products.
Supply for non-Australians
Under this policy, we may be able to supply blood products to non-Australians overseas:
- in situations where Australia is coordinating humanitarian aid and disaster relief
- under the International Blood Exchange Program
- in retrieval operations
- in response to Australian Government requests.
Other supply situations
We may also supply blood products in other situations if the NBA Chief Executive approves it.
This allows the Chief Executive to consider situations beyond those described on this page on a case-by-case basis.
How to apply
It takes up to 3 months to assess an application for supply or organise an extension, so you must apply as soon as possible.
Immunoglobulin, plasma derived and fresh blood products
If you need an immunoglobulin, plasma derived or fresh blood product for any period of time overseas, please complete an Approval to Supply Blood Products to Australian Residents for Use Overseas(Opens in a new tab/window) form and send it to Lifeblood at TS@redcrossblood.org.au.
Recombinant Products
If you need recombinant product (for example, to treat a bleeding disorder) and are you are planning to travel for less than 6 months, please work with your treating clinician or Haemophilia Treatment Centre to arrange the supply of your medication.
If you are travelling with a recombinant product for 6 consecutive months or more, please apply by email to supply.management.plasma@blood.gov.au.
We will send you an application form to fill out and email back to us.
Check if your product is immunoglobulin, recombinant or plasma-derived by asking your doctor or finding it on the National Product Price List(Opens in a new tab/window).
Find out more about travelling with blood products(Opens in a new tab/window).
Get in touch
If you have a query about overseas blood product supply, please contact us.
Last updated: 27 Mar 2024