Inked blood donors from Albury will no longer have to wait four months since their last tattoo to donate plasma, with Lifeblood scrapping the long-standing rule.
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Around 150 Border donors have previously been prevented from donating every year because of a recent tattoo.
For Lifeblood Albury spokeswoman Cathy Chapman, tattooed locals are some of the best donors.
"People with tattoos are perfect plasma donors because we know they're not afraid of needles - one of the biggest barriers for new donors donating blood or plasma for the first time," she said.
"Around 15 per cent of Australians think having a tattoo means you can't donate blood at all.
"So we're hopeful this change will help us collect the more than 15,000 plasma donations needed by Aussie patients each week."
In a statement, Lifeblood said a study of 25,000 tattooed donors conducted in partnership with the Kirby Institute found those inked in Australian licensed tattoo parlours are safe to donate blood plasma.
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All donated plasma in Australia is tested for HIV and hepatitis B and C, but it takes time for a recent infection - that may be contracted from a contaminated needle - to become detectable.
"While there is a link between needle procedures such as tattoos and blood born viruses, this new research demonstrates those who received tattoos in Australian licensed or regulated premises are safe to donate," Ms Chapman said.
The change is estimated to boost plasma stocks by an around 50,000 donations each year.
This equates to around 450 donors each year at the Albury donor clinic.
"Plasma is the yellow liquid that makes up more than half of what flows through our veins," Ms Chapman said.
"It transports cells, hormones, and vitamins around the body, and removes waste products."
Plasma is used in hospitals to treat trauma and bleeding, but it's also used to make life-saving medicine for patients with immunodeficiency and auto-immune diseases, cancer, haemophilia, kidney conditions and burns.
Australia is one of the first countries in the world to remove the waiting period, and Lifeblood researchers hope their work will pave the way for other countries to follow suit.
The removal of the waiting period only applies to donors who have got a tattoo from a licensed Australian parlour.
The waiting period still applies to inked donors wanting to give whole blood.
To donate at the David Street blood bank visit lifeblood.com.au or call Lifeblood on 13 14 95.
