On Wednesday 14 June 2023, the Queensland Government passed new legislation allowing transgender Queenslanders to change their Birth Certificate without gender reassignment surgery.
The new legislation also allows a name change at the same time they formally register their change of gender.
This change applies to children under 16, with their parents able to apply directly to the Registry where certain criteria is met. Before a child’s birth record can be altered, the child must be assessed by a developmentally informed practitioner who is already in a professional relationship with them.
Changes to the registration of same-sex parents or a gender-diverse parent are also brought about by this legislation. Both parents are now able to register as mother or father on their child’s birth certificate.
The Position in Victoria
Transgender Victorians have been able to change their gender on birth certificates without surgery since August 2019. Victoria was the fifth Australian State or Territory to make this key change.
Tasmania (the first State to make the change in April 2019), the Northern Territory, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory have also made this change.
Need Help?
If you need advice in relation to your rights to alter birth and other records, our team can help.
