Gender-Affirming Care Pathways for Children, Adolescents & Families
Accessing gender-affirming care for a child or young person can bring many questions for young people and their families. Understanding where to start, who may be involved, and how decisions are made can help the process feel less overwhelming.
This guide provides a general overview of common gender-affirming care pathways for children and adolescents in Australia. While processes vary between states and territories, healthcare providers, and individual circumstances, understanding the available options can help families make informed decisions.
There are differing pathways for gender-affirming care. Every young person's journey is unique, and not every young person will wish to pursue every aspect of gender affirmation.
Standards of care and legal considerations
Gender-affirming healthcare for children and adolescents is guided by current clinical evidence, professional standards, and relevant legal and ethical frameworks.
In Australia, healthcare providers may refer to:
Australian Standards of Care and Treatment Guidelines for Trans and Gender Diverse Children and Adolescents
WPATH Standards of Care Version 8 (SOC8)
Relevant state and territory legislation
Professional standards and service policies
These frameworks support developmentally appropriate, family-centred, evidence-informed care while recognising the diversity of trans and gender diverse young people's experiences.
Because legislation, policies, and service models vary across Australia and continue to evolve, individual pathways may differ between healthcare providers and between states and territories.
Understanding gender-affirming care
Gender-affirming care is individual and may include one, some, or none of the following.
Social affirmation
This may include:
using a chosen name
using different pronouns
changes to clothing or presentation
changes at school
changes within family and community
Not every young person chooses to socially affirm, and there is no required order.
Psychological support
Many young people and families benefit from working with an affirming psychologist.
Support may include:
exploring gender
family support
emotional wellbeing
school support
navigating social affirmation
psychosocial assessment where requested
preparing for medical pathways where appropriate
Psychological support is not about determining someones gender identity. Instead, it aims to support wellbeing, informed decision-making, and individual goals.
Medical affirmation
Depending on the young person's age, developmental stage, goals, and individual circumstances, medical affirmation may include:
puberty suppression (puberty blockers)
gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT)
fertility discussions
ongoing medical monitoring
Not every young person will pursue medical affirmation.
Access to gender-affirming medical care under 18
Access to gender-affirming medical care for children and adolescents differs from adult pathways and is generally more collaborative.
There is no single pathway that applies to every young person. Care is individualised and based on the young person's goals, developmental stage, health needs, family circumstances, and the type of medical care being considered.
Assessment
Before commencing gender-affirming medical interventions, young people will generally participate in an assessment with clinicians experienced in working with trans and gender diverse children and adolescents.
The assessment aims to develop a shared understanding of the young person's:
Gender identity and lived experiences
Goals, hopes, and expectations
Physical health and medical history
Emotional wellbeing and mental health
Developmental stage
Understanding of the proposed treatment, including potential benefits, risks, alternatives, and long-term considerations
Family, school, and social supports
The purpose of assessment is to ensure healthcare is individualised, developmentally appropriate, meets legislative and professional requirements and supports informed decision-making.
Accessing medical care
Depending on the young person's age, developmental stage, circumstances, and the healthcare provider involved, accessing gender-affirming medical care may involve:
Support from your GP
Referral to specialist GP, endocrinologist, sexual health physician or another clinician experienced in gender-affirming healthcare
Involvement of a psychologist or psychiatrist where appropriate
Multidisciplinary collaboration between healthcare providers
Shared decision-making involving the young person and, where appropriate, their parents or carers
Ongoing medical review, monitoring, and follow-up
Some young people access care through public multidisciplinary gender services, while others receive care through private providers or a combination of both. Requirements may differ between healthcare providers and services.
Older adolescents
As young people get older, their pathway may become more similar to adult pathways. However, there is no specific age at which this automatically occurs.
Depending on the individual, the healthcare provider, and applicable legal and clinical requirements, some older adolescents may access care through an informed consent model.
Consent and decision-making
Healthcare providers consider factors such as:
The young person's age and developmental stage
Their capacity to participate in healthcare decisions
The proposed treatment and its potential benefits, risks, and alternatives
Parental responsibility and involvement where appropriate
Current Australian legislation
Professional standards and clinical guidelines
The policies of the treating healthcare service
For many young people, care involves shared decision-making between the young person, their family, and the care team.
Who might be involved?
Depending on individual circumstances, care may involve:
GP
Endocrinologist
Paediatrician or Adolescent physician
Psychologist
Psychiatrist (where indicated)
Speech pathologist or voice therapist
Fertility specialists
Other allied health professionals
Some young people access care through public multidisciplinary gender services, while others access private providers.
Starting with your GP
For many families, the GP is the first point of contact.
A supportive GP can:
discuss concerns and goals
explain available pathways
provide referrals
organise relevant health assessments
coordinate care with other providers
provide ongoing healthcare and monitoring
If you don't feel heard, respected, or supported by your GP, it is okay to seek another provider
Private and public options
Private Pathways
Private pathways may offer:
Shorter wait times
Greater choice of providers
Telehealth options
Direct access to some gender-affirming services
Costs vary depending on the provider and Medicare eligibility.
Public Pathways
Public pathways may involve:
GP referral
Multidisciplinary assessment
Paediatricians and endocrinologists
Psychological support where appropriate
Ongoing follow-up
Public services are often low-cost or free but may have eligibility criteria and longer waiting times.
Availability varies significantly across Australia.
Questions you might ask your GP
About getting started
What are our next steps?
What options are available?
Do we need any referrals?
Are there local public and private options?
What are the current waiting times?
Medical care
Can you tell me about puberty blockers?
Can you tell me about gender-affirming hormone therapy?
Do you provide gender-affirming medical care?
If not, can you recommend a provider who does?
Is shared care available with another medical provider (e.g. an endocrinologist or specialist GP)?
What assessments may be required?
What blood tests or health checks are needed?
What are the expected benefits, risks, and limitations?
Many families find it helpful to research providers before requesting a referral, particularly if they are looking for clinicians with experience in gender-affirming healthcare.
Support
Can you recommend an affirming psychologist with experience supporting trans and gender diverse young people?
Are there local or online communities we can connect with?
What support is available for parents, carers, and families?
What supports are available at school?
What can we do if the young person doesn't feel safe at home, school, or in the community?
Finding gender-affirming providers
TransHub – Find a Doctor
TransHub provides a searchable directory of gender-affirming GPs, specialists, and services across Australia. It also includes information about informed consent pathways and finding trans-affirming healthcare providers.
AusPATH Provider Directory
The Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH) maintains a directory of healthcare professionals with an interest in trans and gender diverse healthcare.
Trans AU Directory
Trans AU is a community-led directory of trans and gender diverse services, healthcare providers, and community organisations across Australia.
How Minds of Colour Psychology can help
I provide neuroaffirming and gender-affirming psychological support for young people across Australia via telehealth.
Support may include:
Gender exploration and identity-focused therapy
Psychosocial assessments for gender-affirming medical care
Support navigating gender-affirming medical care pathways
Support throughout social, legal, and medical affirmation journeys, including navigating changes and adjustments over time.
Collaboration with GPs, endocrinologists, sexual health physicians, psychiatrists, and surgeons
My role is to support informed decision-making, explore relevant factors collaboratively, and provide assessments or documentation where appropriate.
Prescribing decisions, medical recommendations, and treatment decisions remain the responsibility of the treating medical practitioner.
Gender-affirming services
NSW-Based Services
🏳️⚧️ Maple Leaf House (Hunter New England LHD)
NSW-based multidisciplinary clinic offering gender-affirming care for trans and gender-diverse children and young people (up to age 25)
🔗 nsw.gov.au/hnelhd/services/gender-diversity
🏳️⚧️ ACON
NSW’s leading HIV and LGBTQ+ health organisation.
🔗 acon.org.au
🏳️⚧️ Twenty10 (NSW)
Support for LGBTQ+ youth (12–25), including case management, mental health, and school engagement.
🔗 twenty10.org.au
🏳️⚧️ Rainbow Families
Supports LGBTQ+ parents and their children with workshops, playgroups, and resources for navigating schools and healthcare.
🔗 rainbowfamilies.com.au
National Services
🏳️⚧️ LGBTIQ+ Health Australia
National peak health organisation for LGBTIQ+ people.
🔗 lgbtiqhealth.org.au
🏳️⚧️ Gender Health Australia – Our Services
Gender-affirming healthcare services and information.
🔗 genderhealth.com.au/services
🏳️⚧️ Equality Australia
Advocacy for LGBTIQ+ rights and equality.
🔗 equalityaustralia.org.au
🏳️⚧️ PFLAG Australia
Family-oriented support for those with LGBTQI+ loved ones, including advocacy and advice for parents of transgender children.
🔗 pflagaustralia.org.au
🏳️⚧️ Parents of Gender Diverse Children (PGDC)
Peer support and advocacy group run by parents of trans and gender-diverse kids. Offers resources, community support, and guidance for navigating schools and services.
🔗 pgdc.org.au
Clinical guidelines & evidence-based resources
🏳️⚧️ World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8 (2022)
🏳️⚧️ NSW Health
Consent to Medical Treatment Manual
Section 8: Gender Dysphoria – Guidance for clinicians on consent and treatment for trans and gender-diverse patients in NSW
🏳️⚧️ AusPATH
Informed Consent Guidelines for Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy National guidelines supporting informed consent models of care
Medical providers (public)
Public Services
Maple Leaf House
Sydney Children's Hospital Gender Service
Royal Children's Hospital Gender Service
Queensland Children's Gender Service
Perth Children's Hospital Gender Diversity Service
Medical providers (private)
NSW
🏳️⚧️ Brightwell Health
https://brightwellhealth.com.au/
🏳️⚧️ The Papillon Clinic
https://thepapillonclinic.com.au/transgender-medicine/
🏳️⚧️ Dr Jon Hayes - North Shore Medical Ctr, St Leonards
ACT
🏳️⚧️ Dr Chris Helms - Bridging Healthcare, telehealth available
VIC
🏳️⚧️ Professor Darren Russell - Prism Healthcare, telehealth available
https://www.prismhealth.com.au/
Disclaimer
Accessing gender-affirming healthcare can be challenging, and finding providers with experience in supporting trans and gender diverse people can be difficult, particularly in some regions.
The resources, directories, websites, and healthcare providers listed on this page are provided for informational purposes only and are intended as potential starting points for people seeking gender-affirming healthcare and support.
Information has been compiled from publicly available sources, professional networks, and community recommendations and was believed to be accurate at the time of publication. Availability, wait times, fees, referral requirements, areas of practice, and service models may change over time.
While efforts have been made to include providers and services known to support trans and gender diverse people, inclusion on this list does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee of services by Minds of Colour Psychology.
Individuals are encouraged to make their own enquiries regarding suitability, availability, fees, and current service offerings when choosing a healthcare provider.
