Red cell reference
Who are we?
Lifeblood's Red Cell Reference Service provides an internationally recognised scientific and diagnostic service to support transfusion practice and clinical need.
Our primary role is to support the clinical management and transfusion of patients and delivery of specialised blood components through:
- excellent customer service
- specialised red cell serology and molecular genotyping services
- supporting the maintenance of a phenotyped inventory and rare donor panel, including an inventory of rare frozen red cells
- supporting education and exchange of resources nationally and internationally
- providing expert scientific and clinical advice
- international collaboration to resolve complex cases, and
- maintaining the Antibody Register.
To find out more, please see the National Red Cell Reference Service Strategy 2019-2023
Note: Our testing services are not available to the general public, patients should discuss their situation and the need for testing with their health care practitioner.
How do we do this?
Antibody investigations
We’re able to resolve complex antibody investigations and anomalous blood groups because we can assess rare anti-sera and phenotyped red cells.
Antibody investigation services offered include:
- atypical antibody identification
- resolution of complex mixtures of atypical antibodies
- resolving crossmatching difficulties, including investigation of anomalous reactions due to monoclonal antibody therapy
- serological investigation of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, including allo- and auto-absorption studies to detect underlying alloantibodies
- investigation of red cell induced transfusion reactions, and
- investigation of haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN)
Blood grouping anomalies, phenotyping and genotyping
We’re able to resolve blood groups anomalies including the classification in the weak and partial RhD status, and phenotyping or genotyping for most blood groups antigens. We may use serological and molecular techniques including single nucleotide polymorphisms and next generation sequencing for blood group determination.
We use non-invasive prenatal analysis (NIPA) for blood group genotyping to determine fetal blood groups in certain high-risk pregnancies to guide clinical management.
Locations
Red Cell Reference Service has laboratories in NSW, VIC, QLD and WA with an on-call service for life-threatening situations where identification of atypical antibodies or blood group resolution is required to provide appropriate blood for transfusion.
For access to the on-call Red Cell Reference Service, please call the Customer Service Delivery team in your State.
- NSW / ACT / NT
Laboratory hours
8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday (Public holidays excluded)
Enquiries
Phone: 02 9234 2189
Fax: 02 9234 2193
Email: [email protected]
Manager: Karyn Campbell
Address
Red Cell Reference Laboratory
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
Dock A Blood In
17 O'Riordan Street
Alexandria NSW 2015
- VIC / SA
Laboratory hours
8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday (Public holidays excluded)
Enquiries
Phone: 03 9694 0282
Fax: 03 9694 0331
Email: [email protected]
Manager: Ina Messig
Address
Red Cell Reference Laboratory
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
100 - 154 Batman Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003
- WA
Laboratory hours
8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday (Public holidays excluded)
Enquiries
Phone: 08 9421 2864
Fax: 08 9421 2375
Email: [email protected]
Manager: Tanya Cawthorne
Address
Red Cell Reference Laboratory
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
290 Wellington Street WA 6000
- QLD
Laboratory hours
8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday (Public holidays excluded)
Enquiries
Phone: 07 3838 9493
Fax: 07 3838 9410
Email: [email protected]
Manager: Yew Wah Liew
Address
Red Cell Reference Laboratory
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
44 Musk Avenue (deliveries via Blamey Street)
Kelvin Grove Brisbane QLD 4053
(PO Box 41 Everton Park QLD 4053)
- National Red Cell Reference Manager
Enquiries
Tanya Powley
Phone: 07 3838 9351
Fax: 07 3838 9427
Email: [email protected]
Address
National Red Cell Reference Manager
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
44 Musk Avenue (deliveries via Blamey Street)
Kelvin Grove Brisbane QLD 4053
(PO Box 41 Everton Park QLD 4053)
My Health Record Share by Default Changes, July 2026
Lifeblood laboratories (Red Cell Reference, Platelet and Neutrophil Reference, and Transplantation and Immunogenetics Services) accept referred patient and related donor samples from external pathology services for specialised testing.
Results from these samples are provided to the referring laboratory or requesting clinical unit to make available to the requesting clinician, consistent with NPAAC standards.
Lifeblood currently does not upload patient test results directly to the patient’s MyHealth record, and has been granted an extension to comply with the Modernising My Health Record (Sharing by Default) Act, to 31st December 2027.
Related resources
Distinguishing between Anti-D, Anti-C and Anti-G Information Sheet
Information Sheet
ABO Investigations Testing Information Sheet
This resource provides information on instances when further ABO investigation may be required along with the sample requirements.
Information Sheet
NIPA for Clinically Significant Fetal Blood Group Antigens - Information Sheet July 2024
Information Sheet
The trials and tribulations of reagent red cell supply presentation
A presentation on reagent red cell supply by Ina Messig, Red Cell Reference Manager, Lifeblood.
Red Cell Reference Material