Restrictions on blood donation by people with high-risk sexual practices are poised for change, following TGA approval of a proposal to reduce the deferral period to three months.

This would mean a man who has sex with another man could donate blood three months after his last sexual contact, rather than having to wait for 12 months, which is the current rule.

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood submitted the proposal to the regulator earlier this year, recommending the change in the deferral interval for whole blood donors whose sexual practices put them at risk of acquiring blood-borne infections, after a review of the clinical data on safety.

On Thursday, the TGA announced it had accepted the recommendation. Implementation is now dependent on backing from states and territory governments.