A new $213 million blood processing facility has been opened in Melbourne which will manufacture about 30 per cent of Australia’s national fresh blood supply.

The new centre, the largest in Australia, replaces an older facility that was no longer fit for purpose.

The Australian Government is contributing more than half of the cost of the new facility and its future running costs, with the remainder funded by the state governments.

The Australian Government contribution is through its $5 billion Health and Hospital Fund established in 2009.

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service will operate the new Melbourne centre under a funding agreement with the National Blood Authority.