Medical transition in Australia (state by territory basis)

Starting medical transition is easiest in NSW, Victoria followed by Queensland. The ACT, the Northern Territory and Tasmania are equally easy, except you might have to hunt around a little harder for medical practitioners who can help you.

Both South Australia and Western Australia have legislation covering transition and you will need to comply with a prescribed process in South Australia.

Queensland

In Queensland, you have the choice of going through the Brisbane Gender Clinic or finding your own healthcare providers.

Since 1994, a group of private specialists provide services in the treatment of gender dysphoria. If you choose to go through the Brisbane Gender Clinic, you will need a letter of referral from your GP posted to the clinic to

Level 1, Biala Building
270 Roma St, Brisbane 4000
Telephone (07) 3837 5645 – Wednesday only 1.30 to 5.00pm

Brisbane Gender Clinic Brochure (473kb PDF)
Cairns Gender Transitioning Team Brochure (409kb PDF)

Once the clinic has your letter, they will call you to make an appointment. An assessment is required and two separate psychiatric assessments before commencing hormone treatment.

South Australia

In 1988, South Australia passed legislation called the South Australia Sexual Reassignment Act 1988 (SRA 1988). At the time, this was considered progressive. However in practice these days, it places unwieldy and unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles for both patients and their healthcare providers.

As a consequence of the SRA Act, all treatment appears to be confined to the South Australia Gender Dysphoria Clinic. You will need your GP to write you a referral letter to the clinic. Once the clinic receives your referral, they will ring you and make an appointment.

When you attend the appointment, you will be assessed by Dr Robert Lyons and another psychiatrist for three months before being accepted onto the program. You will also be referred to Greame Piercy for an MMPI (cost ~ $450).

Once these assessments are completed (three months minimum) you will be referred to either Dr Jones or Dr. Roberts for testosterone prescription.

Phone: (08) 8431 6244
Address: Hewitt House, 138 Fullarton Road, Rose Park 5067

As of late 2010, FTM Australia has received advice from the Chief Public Health Officer of South Australia, psychiatrists do not need to be approved under the SRA Act 1988 to enable you to begin treatment. This suggests you are free to see whomever you desire to begin your transition. FTM Australia has asked for clarity from the clinic and is still waiting for advice regarding this information.

Dec 2010 advice from Chief Public Health Officer of South Australia (473kb PDF)

Western Australia

In Western Australia, the Western Australia Gender Reassignment Act 2000 (GRA 2000) covers the process of sex affirmation. Unlike South Australia, WA has confined their legislation only to the final legal stages of transition. It is at the point of correcting your Western Australian Birth Certificate that this legislation comes into play.

In WA, you can find your own healthcare providers to start and proceed with treatment relatively easily.

Victoria

In Victoria you have the choice of going through the Monash Gender Dysphoria Clinic or finding your own healthcare providers.

Since 1988, the Monash Medical Center has coordinated a group of private specialists involved in the treatment of gender dysphoria. Currently the Victorian Government funds only the administrative costs of this service which is now part of the CAMHS and Primary Partnerships Directorate of the Southern Health Mental Health Program.

If you choose to go through the Monash Gender Dysphoria Clinic, your GP will need to write you a referral letter to the clinic. You will be expected to provide a personal statement and two photographs to the Clinical Director. Once these are provided, you can get an appointment with the clinic for an assesment.

Clinical Director, Gender Dysphoria Clinic
Southern Community Mental Health Service
352 South Road Moorabbin 3179
Phone: (03) 9556 5216
Email: genderclinic@southernhealth.org.au
Monash Gender Dysphoria Clinic Brochure (48kb PDF)

To start hormone treatment through the Monash Gender Dysphoria Clinic, you will need to have two independent psychiatric assessments and a psychological assessment will usually be conducted as well.

Summary

With the exception of South Australia, if you prefer not to go through a Gender Clinic at all – in all states/territories, you will need to find (at the very least);