And how to get involved
In September 2026 the Australian Parliament announced a new Senate Inquiry into Australian blood and blood products infected with bloodborne viruses (hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV) during the 1970s–1990s. What does this mean for the bleeding disorders community?
For over 30 years HFA has stood alongside our community in advocating for recognition, care, and justice regarding infected blood products. We remain firmly committed to supporting you through every step of this Senate Inquiry process.
FIND OUT MORE
• The Senate Inquiry website
• Visit the BBV Inquiry section on the HFA website
• Keep up-to-date through HFA e-news
A Senate Inquiry is a parliamentary investigation conducted by a committee of Australian Senators. Evidence is gathered from written submissions and public hearings. The Committee gives a report with its findings and recommendations to the Australian Government. The Government must respond to the Committee – but is not required to accept its recommendations (our advocacy work continues!).
In 2004 the Senate investigated hepatitis C and the blood supply with 6 recommendations. In the view of HFA and many in our community, outcomes of that Inquiry were vastly inadequate.
This BBV Inquiry is designed to investigate:
The Inquiry Terms of Reference and instructions for making a submission are on the Inquiry website.
Submissions close on Friday 27 November 2026.
The report will be delivered in July 2027.
You can make a submission to the Inquiry
For example, you may choose to make your own submission and participate in HFA’s submission and be part of a group submission with other affected individuals. You are not limited in how you can have your voice heard.
A submission may involve sharing your story/experience and/or responding the Terms of Reference with evidence (which you will need to supply). The Committee have confirmed with HFA that they will also invite people to share their story in person at the hearings across Australia.
HFA is preparing a submission to the Inquiry on behalf of the Australian bleeding disorders community. This will be evidence-based, drawing on HFA’s extensive data and the powerful stories of affected people in our community.
HFA will continue active lobbying with key policy and decision-makers, including ministers and MPs, to achieve meaningful outcomes for affected individuals and their families. Key advocacy priorities – informed by the 2025 survey of our affected community – include an acknowledgement and a financial scheme recognising the impact on people who were affected. This will continue over the next 12 months or more to make sure the inquiry’s recommendations are robust and swiftly implemented.
Register your interest
We know this Inquiry may bring up a mix of strong emotions for many of our community members. Part of this may be the uncertainty – hoping for better outcomes at last, but aware that none of us can know what the outcomes of this Inquiry will be. Our community has proven its resilience over the years and some bleeding disorders community members may wish to make the Committee of Inquiry – and also the wider community – aware of their experiences. But you do not have to share your personal story if you don’t wish to.
If this situation affects you in any way, this is an important time to reach out for support, for example, talking to those close to you or other affected people with bleeding disorders and seeking professional help from:
For questions about your current hepatitis C or liver health, speak to your hepatitis specialist or your GP. If you think you may have been at risk for hepatitis C and would like to have testing, speak to your GP or contact HepLink (national telehealth service). If you have questions relating to HIV or HIV/HCV coinfection, speak to your HIV or coinfection treating team.
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