How to change your gender status on formal documents in South Australia

What is this resource? 

This resource is for trans and gender-diverse young people and their families in SA.   

We answer some common questions about updating your gender on formal documents, such as your: 

• birth certificate issued in SA 
  • If you are living in SA but your birth was registered outside SA, we also explain how to get an identity acknowledgement certificate, which can help you update your gender on other documents.  
• driver’s licence records 
• federal documents:  
  • passport 
  • Centrelink 
  • Medicare records 

To find out more, click on the hyperlink above for the document or record you want to update. 

Can you update your gender on formal documents? 

On most formal documents, yes. However, different documents have different requirements and different gender identity options. 

Unfortunately, some trans and gender-diverse people may have limited ability to update their gender on some formal documents in SA.  

What steps are involved with making an update? 

The steps required depend on whether the document you would like to change is issued by: 

1. a state or territory government organisation; or 
2. a federal government organisation 

How to update the gender on your South Australian birth certificate 

Birth certificates are issued and regulated at a state and territory level. This means that the approach to update your birth certificate to match your gender identity will depend on which state or territory issued your certificate. If your birth certificate was issued in SA, this is managed by the SA Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. 

In SA, you can apply to ‘record a change of sex or gender identity’ once per 12-month period and up to three times in your lifetime, if: 

• you were born in SA; or 

• your birth was registered in SA; or 

• you were born overseas and you have been living in SA for at least 12 months.  

In SA, you must have had clinical treatment from an Australian medical practitioner or psychologist before you can update the sex marker on your birth certificate. Gender-affirming surgery is not required.  

What if your birth was registered outside South Australia?   

If your birth was registered somewhere else in Australia, you will need to apply to update your gender in the state or territory you were born in. The factsheet for the state or territory that issued your birth certificate will have the eligibility requirements for updating the gender on your birth certificate.  

Identity acknowledgement certificate 

People aged 18 or older who were born overseas and have lived in SA for at least 12 months can apply for an identity acknowledgement certificate. To apply for an identity acknowledgement certificate, you must have had clinical treatment from an Australian medical practitioner or psychologist in relation to your sex or gender identity.  

The identity acknowledgement certificate can help you update your gender on other documents. 

How do you apply to update the sex marker on your birth certificate or to apply for an identity acknowledgement certificate?  

1. Complete the relevant form:  
   • If you are aged 18 or older, use the ‘Application to record a change of sex or gender identity – adult‘ form. If you would also like to change your name at the same time, you will need to complete Section C of the form, which must be signed in front of a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, Police Officer or Practising Lawyer.   
   • If you are under 18, you or your parent or guardian can use the ‘Application to record a change of sex or gender identity for a child‘ form.  
   • If you would like to change your name at the same time, you will need to email ocba-bdmregistrations@agd.sa.gov.au for further information.  
2. Get your identity documents. You must provide one document from each of the four categories listed on pages 3 and 4 of the form. All documents (except your original birth certificate) must be certified (see the ‘Identification’ section of the form).  
   • If your parent or guardian is making the application on your behalf, in addition to providing your identity documents, they must also both provide proof of their identity, by providing one document from each of the four categories listed on page 4 of the form.    
3. Get your supporting statement. You must provide a statement by a medical practitioner or psychologist certifying that you have received appropriate clinical treatment in relation to your sex or gender identity (see Section B of the form for more information).   
4. Submit your application and supporting documents by posting them to:  
   Births, Deaths and Marriages Consumer and Business Services 
   GPO Box 1351 
   Adelaide SA 5001  
   
   If you have any questions or would like to speak to someone, you can email ocba-bdmregistrations@agd.sa.gov.au and make an appointment.  
5. Pay the application fee. 
   
   Fees can change. Current application fees are published at https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/family-and-community/births-deaths-and-marriages/change-of-sex-or-gender-identity.  

If you are under 18

If you are under 18, your parent or guardian can apply on your behalf. However, the South Australian Civil & Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) must also approve your application.  

You or your parent or guardian can use the ‘Application to record a change of sex or gender identity for a child‘ form. First your parent or guardian must apply to the SA Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (this process is explained above).  

Once this application has been assessed by the SA Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, your parent or guardian will need to make a separate application to SACAT. 

How to apply to SACAT

1. Complete the online application form. Under Step 2, select the ‘Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act’ option and the ‘Original Application (Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act)’. Under Step 3, select ‘Application to register the change of a child’s sex or gender identity’ option.  
2. Get your supporting documents. You must provide: 
   • a copy of the Births, Deaths and Marriages change of sex or gender identity application form; 
   • a certified copy of your parent or guardian’s proof of identity; 
   • a certified copy of your (the child’s) birth certificate; 
   • a supporting statement from a medical practitioner or psychologist certifying that you (the child) have received appropriate clinical treatment in relation to their sex or gender identity and have the mental capacity to consent to the application; 
   • a letter from the other parent acknowledging the application and whether they are supportive; 
   • a copy of any previous decisions made by a court or SACAT regarding a change of sex or gender identity; and 
   • any other documents you think are relevant to the application.
3. Pay the application fee.  
4. Attend the hearing (if required). Generally, SCAT requires a hearing and during the hearing you may be required to provide further documents during a hearing. You (the child) will also be interviewed during the hearing, as well as any other relevant people (eg family members).  
5. Contact the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages to progress your application. Once SCAT has made a final order, you must contact the Registrar’s office to ensure that your application is progressed. 

How to update the gender on your driver’s licence records 

The steps to update the records associated with your driver’s licence depend on the state or territory that issued your licence.  

What you need to do in SA 

There is no sex/gender marker on physical driver’s licence cards issued in SA. However, Services SA records the gender of each person when they apply for a licence.  

To update the records associated with your driver’s licence, you will need to visit a Service SA service centre with one of the following documents:  

• a statement from a registered medical practitioner or a registered psychologist; 

• a valid Australian Government travel document, such as a current passport, which specifies your gender; 

• an amended Australian state or territory birth certificate, which specifies your gender; or  

• an Australian state or territory gender recognition certificate or recognised details certificate (called an ‘identity acknowledgement certificate’ in SA), showing that a Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages has recognised the gender you want to update your record to.  

You can update your records without having officially changed your name or updated your gender, as long as you have one of the above supporting documents.  

You can choose from the following gender options:  

• ‘M’ – male 
• ‘F’ – female 
• ‘X’ – this option is available if you do not identify as either male or female. 

How to change your gender on federal government documents, such as your passport, and Medicare or Centrelink records 

You can change your gender on federal documents or records by applying to the agency that looks after the document or record that you want to change. 

There are Australian Government Guidelines on recognising gender (see the link further below under ‘Where to Get Help and Information’). This means that: 

1. Federal departments and agencies must take all reasonable steps to correct the gender information in their records to make sure it is accurate, up-to-date, and not misleading. 
2. You can apply to federal agencies, such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Services Australia, directly to change your gender on your personal record, or as shown on your passport. 

Do you need to provide supporting documentation? 

Under the Australian Government Guidelines, you need to provide one of the following with your request for a change of your recorded gender: 

• A statement from a registered medical practitioner or registered psychologist which specifies your gender. 

• A state or territory gender recognition certificate or recognised details certificate showing a change in sex. 

• A valid Australian government travel document, such as a valid passport, which specifies your gender. 
• A state or territory birth certificate which specifies your gender, or a document from an Australian Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages recognising a change of gender. 

Where to get help and more information 

• Visit the Australian Government Guidelines on the Recognition of Sex and Gender. 

• The Department of Foreign Affairs offers travel advice for LGBTIQA+ travellers on its Smart Traveller website. 

• The Attorney-General’s Department provides guidance on what constitutes a statutory declaration in SA. 

• Parents of Gender Diverse Children provides peer support nationally to parents and those parenting trans and gender-diverse children. 

• The Carrousel Club of South Australia offers a wide range of services to people with gender-related issues, their partners, family members and friends in South Australia. This includes assistance with changing gender markers. 

• Shine SA provides primary care services and education for sexual and relationship wellbeing. 

• Trans Health SA offer the South Australian gender-diverse community a resource operated, and influenced, BY the community. 
• Uniting Communities provides mental health support & counselling to the LGBTIQA+ community.