About us

Under certain circumstances patients are accepted from outside of this area.

The Victorian Liver Transplant Unit cares for patients of all ages. We provide the surgical team and doctors for all children's liver transplants performed at the Royal Children’s Hospital. Children's transplants are performed in collaboration with the Royal Children's Hospital.

The number of surgeries that we perform is limited by the number of suitable donor organs available.

The types of patients the Victorian Liver Transplant Unit sees are adults or children who have:

•      Chronic liver disease who need assessment for liver transplantation
•      Primary liver cancer (Hepatocellular carcinoma)
•      Acute liver failure, for which transplantation may be necessary
•      Undergone liver transplantation, and are residents in Victoria & Tasmania

Our services

We provide the following services:

• Assessments for liver transplant
• A 24/7 liver transplant coordination service
• Liver and intestinal transplants
• Multi-organ organ transplants that include a liver and/or intestinal tranplant
• All pre and post-transplant care and management
• Long-term follow-up care after your transplant

Our clinics

We run the following clinics:

• Pre-transplant Clinic
• Post-transplant Clinic
• Hepatocellular Carcinoma Clinic

Related services

• Liver & digestive diseases

  We care for and treat people for conditions of the liver, pancreas and digestive system.

• Australian Centre for Transplantation Excellence and Research (ACTER)

  In 2023 we began establishing ACTER, uniting our transplant streams, research and education into one centre of excellence.

• Hepatitis C treatment

  We treat people with Hepatitis C and provide medication free of charge. We cure 95% of people.

• Aboriginal health

  We support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their family while using hospital services.

• Cancer & wellness

  We provide comprehensive cancer services at the Austin Hospital, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre, and in the community.

Referrals

For patients

You need a referral from your GP, specialist or health care provider to access this service.

For health professionals

Find out how to refer your patient.

Most patients will be seen within six weeks of referral but if you wish your patient to be seen urgently, please contact us directly.

Referring physicians interested in an update on our activity and current outcome data should view the Victorian Liver Transplant Unit's latest Annual Report below.

What to bring

Every time you come

• Medicare card
• Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)
• Private health insurance card (if applicable/if you want to use it)
• Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
• Previous x-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results or reports
• Medicines you need to take while you are here
• List of medicines you are currently taking (or the boxes), including medicines you have bought without a prescription, such as herbal supplements and vitamins
• Glasses, hearing aid, walking frame

For your clinic appointment

• Your appointment letter
• Any special items listed on your letter
• TAC or Workcover claim number (if relevant)

For your surgery

When you receive the call to come to hospital for your transplant, you will need to leave right away.

It is a good idea to keep a suitcase that is already packed and ready with the things that you will need for your hospital stay.

If a loved one is bringing you to hospital, they should remember to bring some things for themselves too.

• Loose, comfortable day clothes, such as a tracksuit
• Pyjamas
• Socks and underwear
• Basic toiletries such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner
• Dressing gown and slippers
• Ear plugs
• Eye mask
• A book or magazine to read
• Leave valuables at home, or have a loved one bring them into hospital for you once you're well enough to use them

Our locations

You may have your surgery at the Austin Hospital or Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital.

Check the information you have received to make sure you know which hospital to visit. If you are unsure, call your surgical liaison nurse or contact us on the numbers below.

Austin Hospital

The Surgery & Endoscopy Centre
Level 2, Austin Tower
145 Studley Road Heidelberg

Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital

The Surgery Centre
Level 2, Centaur Building
300 Waterdale Road Ivanhoe

View location maps

Contact us

Liver Transplant Unit

Phone: 03 9496 5353

Fax: 03 9496 3487

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Nurse Coordinator

Ph: 03 9496 5980

Fax: 03 9496 3487

Email: hepatoma@austin.org.au

Open hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm

Director

Professor Robert Jones
Director, Liver Tranplant Unit

Postal address

Liver Transplant Unit
Austin Hospital
PO Box 5555
Heidelberg VIC 3084
Australia