About Blood in Australia
Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS) is the organisation most people would identify if asked about blood. Because of our profile with the general public, with around 500,000 donors, regular advertising and marketing campaigns to attract and retain donors, we are the public face of blood in Australia. We are also the organisation clinicians and health professionals deal with when they are seeking advice, information or education about blood products and practices.
We are, however, only one part of the process, and this glossary is designed to outline the purpose and roles of various organisations, governments and peak bodies that work together to manage blood and blood products.
ARCBS was established as a national organisation in 1996 - but its antecedents date back to 1929 through various State and Territory Red Cross Transfusion Services.
Since 2005-06, ARCBS has been fully funded by the governments of Australia, with the Australian Government contributing 63% of funding and the remaining eight State/Territory governments contributing the remaining 37% on a proportional basis.
In Australia, blood and its components are collected at fixed and mobile collection centres in accordance with recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO), International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, from volunteer, non remunerated blood donors.
The ARCBS works alongside Australian regulators, government departments and commercial and professional organisations, as well as international bodies to constantly review and improve the safety and provision of blood and blood components in Australia.