Thousands change gender on official docs in Victoria, new laws make it more accessible than ever

Thousands of Victorians including children have changed their gender on official documentation since a new law was introduced to make the process easier.

Thousands of Victorians have changed their gender on their birth certificate since a new law was introduced.

Thousands of Victorians have changed the gender on official documents without undergoing medical procedures since a new law was introduced to make the process easier.

More than 2700 people including children have had the change made to their birth certificate since the new law came into effect in 2020, according to new data released by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Up to 43 per cent of the people changed their gender from male to female, 33 per cent changed from female to male and the 25 per cent changed their identity to other.

It comes after new laws, we’re brought in by the Andrews Labor Government to, allow trans and gender diverse Victorians to alter the sex recorded on their birth certificate without having to undergo surgery.

The gender diverse birth certificate bill was introduced into parliament in 2019. Picture: AAP

According to the laws, applicants are required to sign a statutory declaration affirming that they believe the gender they have specified in their application is their true gender.

Children are able to change their sex with the consent of a parent or guardian.

The figures have been welcomed by LBGTQI+ advocates.

Diversity consultant Sally Goldner welcomed the news saying: “It means the law and society has affirmed who they are which is very helpful both practically and in mental health terms,” they said.

“It means there is no embarrassment for the person when they’re presenting these documents.

They also said they expect the figures to continue to rise as transgender people became more accepted in society.

Australia Greens leader Richard Di Natale (centre) is seen with supporters of the gender diverse birth certificate bill outside of the Victorian State Parliament in 2019. Picture: AAP

Transgender Victoria CEO Dr Son Vivienne said it those figures were also likely to continue rising in the future.

“People, young people especially are exploring their gender diversity, potentially that is because they are more supported than they have been previously based at global awareness, so yes we do expect to see more.”

However, some medical experts have said the move can cause problems when it came to treating people for certain conditions when a person was not forthcoming about their gender.

Legislation to adopt the change caused a stir in 2019 after the Victorian Women’s Guild raised concerns that the reforms could threaten the safety of vulnerable women and compromise women-only spaces.

Emily Wells was one of the first born Queenslanders to apply to receive her new birth certificate after changes to the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 2023. Picture: Supplied

The changes followed similar moves in the ACT, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

Queensland followed suit with 250 people making the change in the first six months.