The 18th Australian Transplant Games will be held in Launceston, Tasmania from the 26 September to 3 October 2026, marking the first time the games will have been held in Tasmania in its nearly 40-year history.
The Australian Transplant Games bring together transplant recipients, living donors, donor family and their family and friends to celebrate ‘the greatest gift of all’ – organ and tissue donation.
Transplant Australia joined with Australian and Tasmania Government representatives today to formally announce Launceston at the 2026 Games Host City.
One person at the announcement signified the importance of the messaging behind the Games – 22-year-old liver transplant recipient, Bella Dyer.
Diagnosed with biliary atresia, Dyer received a life-saving transplant at the age of five and spent many months in the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.
Now aged 22, Dyer lives in Launceston, works full time as a disability support officer and reflects fondly on her experience at the Australian Transplant Games as a junior.
“I am really excited about the Games coming to my hometown and I am thrilled to be sharing all the beauty of Tasmania with the transplant community. The Games are really inspirational, with people of all ages taking part and it shows the difference that organ and tissue donation makes to so many people. I wouldn’t be here today without my donor. I am forever grateful and I want to help raise awareness so more Australians can get that second chance at life.”
Transplant Australia CEO, Chris Thomas, said: “The Australian Transplant Games are truly a celebration of life. They show the courage, strength and determination of the transplant community and the incredible impact that organ and tissue donation has on so many lives.”
“These games are a chance for participants to inspire others, honour their donors, and demonstrate that life after a transplant can be full, vibrant and limitless”
The Games are a week-long celebration involving more than 17 sports including swimming, athletics, golf, pétanque, lawn bowls, cycling, and soccer. Transplant recipients, donor families, living donors, family members and supporters from around Australia and beyond will attend the Games.
The Games are anticipated to attract over 500 visitors from around Australia and overseas, with local community invited to participate in selected events including the DonateLife Fun Run or join in as volunteers and spectators in this inspirational event.
“These Games are an opportunity for Tasmania to add to its reputation as an amazing place to visit, and to demonstrate we excel at events tourism,” said Jane Howlett, Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events.
“Events like these elevate our local tourism and hospitality businesses and boost our economy.”
Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Indigenous Health, and Women Rebecca White pointed out elevated support for organ donation in Tasmania.
“As Chris mentioned, our rates of families agreeing to transplants and donations is extremely high, at about 70% compared to the national average, around 53% but the other remarkable thing here about Tasmanians is the number of people who are signing up,” said White. “The rate of people registering to become an organ donor in Tasmanian is about 49% compared to about 36% across the rest of the country.”
“So we should be really proud of the fact that we’re not only having a conversation about how we can register, but also having conversation with our families about what a donation might look like if it comes to that.”
To register as an organ and tissue donor, visit donatelife.gov.au and tell your family about your decision.
For Games information please visit: australiantransplantgames.com.
Featured image above: L to R Ken Fletcher, state chair Transplant Australia; Bella Dyer, organ recipient; Michele Polley, donor family member; Chris Thomas, Transplant Australia CEO.
