Each application for the supply of blood products funded under the National Blood Agreement for overseas travel will be considered based on its specific circumstances, such as residency status and length of supply.
If you are travelling out of Australia with blood or blood derived products, you will need an export permit from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). This includes immunoglobulin, serum eye drops and other products such as plasma-derived factors VIII and IX. This process is managed by Lifeblood and detailed below.
Some products are made from recombinant technology, not human blood. The supply of recombinant products is managed differently to blood derived products. Recombinant products have their own application process, which is detailed below.
Check if your product is recombinant or plasma-derived by asking your doctor or finding it on the National Product Price List.
How to apply for overseas supply of blood and blood products
Where possible, we ask that applications are submitted 3 or more months before your planned departure date. Please note that if you do not have evidence of return travel to Australia, this may delay or disqualify your application.
Once an application for supply is approved by Lifeblood, if necessary, a TGA Export Permit will be coordinated via Lifeblood and supplied to the requesting clinician for onforwarding to the patient, prior to the departure date.
If you are unsure if the product you require is immunoglobulin, recombinant or plasma-derived, you can ask your doctor or find it on the National Product Price List(Opens in a new tab/window).
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 email it to Lifeblood at TS@redcrossblood.org.au. This will start the application process.
Recombinant products
If you need recombinant product (for example, to treat a bleeding disorder) and 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 complete and return to us.
Extending approval for supply of immunoglobulin or plasma and recombinant products when you are already overseas
If you are already travelling overseas with an approved supply of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) or plasma and recombinant product, and you need to stay overseas for longer, you must inform us before the supply approval period ends.
To request an extension, please email supply.management.plasma@blood.gov.au to request a form. You should consult with their Australian treating clinician to assist with the completion of the new form and then submit this, with the original supply approval, to the NBA.
Find out more and consider What to think about when travelling with blood products in or outside of Australia(Opens in a new tab/window).
Last updated: 04 Feb 2026