Factsheets

What is the National Blood Authority?

The National Blood Authority (NBA) is a statutory agency established under the National Blood Authority Act 2003 to improve and enhance the management of the Australian blood banking and plasma product sector at a national level.

The NBA came into effect from 1 July 2003, and is a key part of reforms to the blood sector, which have been agreed to by all States and Territories. These
are set out in the National Blood Agreement.

Why was the NBA established?

The NBA was created by all Australian governments in response to the recommendations of the Review of the Australian Blood Banking and Plasma Product Sector (the Review), chaired by Sir Ninian Stephen.

The Review, released in March 2001, recommended a national approach in order to strengthen the coordination and oversight of Australia’s blood supply.

What is the NBA’s role?

The NBA manages the national planning and purchasing of blood and blood products on behalf of all Australian Governments, who together provided a
total of $597.5m in 2005-06 for the NBA to purchase products and manage the blood supply on behalf of all Australians.

Specifically NBA’s role is to:

coordinate national demand and supply planning of blood and blood products and purchase those products on behalf of all Australian governments;
negotiate and manage contracts on behalf of all States and Territories, and the Australian government with suppliers of blood and blood products to enable the development of an agreed single national pricing schedule;
implement an efficient demand-driven system, based upon evidence and good clinical practice, so that the blood supply system is highly responsive to needs; and
work in a collaborative manner with all governments and other responsible parties to ensure that Australia's blood supply is safe, secure, adequate and affordable.

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