Gender Affirming Care
The Queensland Government has restricted access to gender-affirming care for youth aged under 18 throughout the state. The prescription of puberty blockers and hormone treatment for youth diagnosed with gender dysphoria is no longer allowed in the public health system.
This decision has left youth across Queensland unable to access medically necessary care, which has been demonstrated to greatly improve their health, wellbeing and safety.
LGBTI Legal Service has challenged the ban in the Supreme Court and are now running a representative complain in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Representative Complaint
The legal challenge to Queensland’s ban on starting under-18s on hormone therapy in public hospitals will run as a group case (a “representative complaint”) – one case brought on behalf of every young person affected, instead of each family bringing their own.
The case argues that the ban – in place since 28 January 2025 – unlawfully discriminates against young people because of their gender identity, sex, age and impairment, and breaches their human rights. The case asks QCAT to end the ban, restore access to treatment, and order apologies and compensation.
Opt Out
To opt to of the representative complaint contact us.
Other Supports
- QLife (LGBTIQA+ peer telephone support) – 1800 184 527, 3pm-midnight every day.
- Open Doors Youth Service
- Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation
- Transcend Australia
- Australian Professional Association for Trans Health and Project 491
FAQ
What is the representative complaint about?
LGBTI Legal Service has launched a representative complaint against the QLD government and the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services following a ministerial direction preventing the prescription of puberty blockers and hormone treatment for transgender youth. The complaint is seeking to overturn the ban and for compensation for those harmed. It argues that the ban breaches human rights and discriminated against transgender young people based on their gender identity, sex, age and impairment.
Do I need to do anything?
Inclusion is automatic. You don’t need to register or contact the service at this stage. You can contact us to keep updated on the case.
What does being in the group mean?
The case is run on your child’s behalf at no cost, and group members cannot be ordered to pay the other side’s legal costs. Group members share in the outcome if the case succeeds, including possible compensation. They are bound by the result if it does not succeed, meaning they cannot later bring their own individual complaint about the same ban (unless they opted out in time).
Who is included?
Every young person in Queensland who, as at 28 January 2025:
- was under 18; and
- had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria; and
- had not started Stage 1 (puberty blocker) or Stage 2 (gender affirming hormone) treatment
If you are not sure if this includes you, contact us for advice.
Who is not included?
Young people who were already receiving treatment before 28 January 2025 and were allowed to continue and are not part of the group.
Young people who were diagnosed with gender dysphoria after 28th January 2025 are not part of the group. If this is you or your child, there may be other legal options, please contact us immediately as there are time limits that apply.
Are there costs involved?
No. LGBTI Legal Service is running the case on the behalf of the young people affect at no cost. Group members will not be ordered to pay the other side’s legal costs.
How do representative complaints work?
Where more than one person has a discrimination claim that arises out of the same circumstances, a representative complaint can be brough by one person on their own behalf and as a representative of others. The process saves time and expense by avoiding the need to determine common issues of fact or law more than once. They are efficient enabling disputes and claims involving large numbers of people to be resolved via a single case.
What if I already made my own complaint?
If you have already made your own complaint to the Queensland or Australian Human Rights Commission, do not withdraw your case. Contact LGBTI Legal Service to see what is the best option for you.
What if I want to opt out?
Anyone in the group can choose to leave it (“opt out”) and keep the right to run their own individual case instead. QCAT will set a deadline for opting out – that date has not been set yet. When it is, we will publish it on our website along with how to opt out. The case cannot go to a final hearing before that date passes. Doing nothing means staying in the group.
Donate to Support
The LGBTI Legal Service provides legal support to LGBTIQA+ children and families, including those impacted by this ban.
Your donations help us to continue this important work.
All donations over $2 are tax deductible.