A person is considered to be transgender or gender diverse when they have a gender identity other than that assigned to them at birth as male or female. Gender dysphoria describes the experience of significant distress as a result of this incongruence. High levels of anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicide are commonly experienced by those with gender dysphoria and are linked to inadequate support and care. Family support and access to medical treatment pathways that are gender affirming are protective and can improve mental health outcomes.

Internationally, demand for assessment, support and medical treatment for transgender and gender diverse children and adolescents has grown considerably over the past 10 years. New referrals to The Royal Children’s Hospital Gender Service in Melbourne have increased more than 100 fold since 2003, reflecting this wider phenomenon. This period of time coincides with significant global change in the community acceptance of gender diversity, reflected through both traditional media and social media platforms.

Health services across Australia are inadequate to meet current demand, and legal systems exist to further impact on difficulties with access to medical treatment for adolescents. As demand continues to increase, meeting the needs of the gender diverse population in Australia requires change in medical, legal and political systems and an urgency exists to prevent avoidable morbidity and mortality.