Medical & legal
Medical information for young people
Options, limitations and pathways for gender-diverse young people in South Australia, including puberty suppression and consent law.
Australian Standards of Care
The Australian Standards of Care and Treatment Guidelines for trans and gender diverse children and adolescents aims to "maximise quality care provision to transgender and gender diverse (TGD) children and adolescents across Australia." More information and Standards of Care documents are available through AusPATH.
Services in South Australia
Medical care for young people under 17 encompasses multiple aspects of transition:
- Social — including name, pronouns, dress and expression, and social connections.
- Legal — such as name and gender marker changes via SA's births, deaths and marriages services.
- Medical — such as puberty suppression medication, available through the Women's and Children's Hospital.
Puberty suppression in Australia
Puberty blockers represent one option for young trans people seeking hormonal affirmation. TransHub provides state-by-state information regarding access to these medications.
Consent and the law in SA
South Australia operates under the Consent to Medical Treatment and Palliative Care Act 1995. Notably:
A person of or over 16 years of age may make decisions about his or her own medical treatment.
For youth under 16 seeking gender-affirming care where parental disagreement exists, the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal offers consultation services.
This is general information, not medical or legal advice. Pathways change, and what applies to one young person may not apply to another. Talk it through with a GP you trust — the Directory lists practitioners who work affirmingly with young people.