About

The Eye and Tissue Donation Registry collects and reports national data on eye and tissue donation and transplantation activity across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Established in 2012, the Registry supports coordinated data reporting in partnership with all eye and tissue banks, helping to strengthen the evidence base and improve outcomes in the sector.

The Eye and Tissue Donation Registry works collaboratively with the Australian Organ and Tissue Authority (OTA), jurisdictional eye and tissue banks, the Eye Bank Association of Australia and New Zealand (EBAANZ), and the Biotherapeutics Association of Australasia. The data and analyses produced by the Registry are used by clinicians, policymakers, and sector leaders to support equitable access to donation and transplantation and to guide system-wide improvement.

Eye and Tissue Advisory Committee

The Eye and Tissue Advisory Committee (ETAC) is a committee governed by the Australian Organ and Tissue Authority (OTA) that advises on the Australian eye and tissue banking sector. It consists of representatives from eye and tissue banks, ANZORRG, professional associations, and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). ETAC promotes collaboration, provides advice on emerging issues, and supports the development of clinical guidelines, professional education, and public awareness to ensure safety and quality in the sector.

The committee is chaired by the OTA National Manager, Clinical Programs.  The Eye and Tissue Advisory Committee provides advice on matters relevant to eye and tissue donation and transplantation, with a key focus on donation coordination by the DonateLife Network.

This collaboration helps to improve systems and processes to increase the number of deceased eye and tissue donations for transplantation in Australia.

Key Functions and Responsibilities:

• Sector Collaboration:
  ETAC facilitates collaboration and information sharing among Australian eye and tissue banks and other stakeholders.
  
• Advisory Role:
  It provides advice on national arrangements, especially regarding skin supply in emergencies and disasters.
  
• Guideline Development:
  The committee contributes to the development and review of clinical practice guidelines to ensure best practices in eye and tissue donation and banking.
  
• Education and Training:
  ETAC supports the DonateLife Network by providing advice on education and training to improve eye and tissue donation services for deceased donors.
  
• Regulatory Oversight:
  It works with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which is responsible for the safety, quality, and efficacy of the Australian eye and tissue banking sector under the Regulatory Framework for Biologicals.

Our Partners

The Eye and Tissue Donation Registry is supported by a national network of partners committed to improving donation and transplantation outcomes across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Registry is a member of the Eye and Tissue Advisory Committee (ETAC), established by the Australian Organ and Tissue Authority (OTA), which provides strategic advice on national program development, sector performance, and emerging issues in eye and tissue donation.

We work in close collaboration with all major eye and tissue banks across the country, including:

The Registry also values its strong relationships with professional associations, including the Eye Bank Association of Australia and New Zealand (EBAANZ) and the Biotherapeutics Association of Australasia (BAA).

Glossary and Definitions