How to change your gender status on formal documents in Victoria
Last updated 3 February 2021
Last updated 3 February 2021
This resource is for trans and gender diverse young people and their families in Victoria.
This fact sheet answers some common questions trans and gender diverse young people, and their families, have about self-identification on formal documents.
Choices around self-identification should be respected. By reading this resource you will get a better understanding of the options in Victoria.
It includes:
In 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 change their gender status on some formal documents.
The steps for applying to change your gender status on formal documents differs depending 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
Birth certificates are issued and regulated at a state and territory level. This means that the approach to changing your birth certificate to match your gender identity will be different depending on which state or territory your certificate was issued in. In Victoria, this is managed by Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria.
The requirements for changing the ‘record of sex’ on your birth certificate differ depending on whether you are over or under the age of 18 years.
There is no longer any requirement for a person to have had gender affirming surgery in order to change their record of sex in Victoria.
In Victoria, your parents can apply to change the record of sex on your birth certificate on your behalf if you are under the age of 18. In most cases, both of your parents must apply (meaning they must both agree with the proposed change) – even if your parents are separated.
In some cases, one parent can apply by themselves, such as if:
As part of the application, your parent and/or parents will need to provide a statutory declaration stating that:
The application will also need to include a supporting statement from:
The supporting statement must state that, in the opinion of the person providing the statement:
If you are over the age of 18, you can apply to change your record of sex if:
As part of the application, you will need to provide a statutory declaration stating that:
The application will also need to include a supporting statement from an adult that has known you for at least 12 months.
The supporting statement must state that, in the opinion of the person providing the statement:
You can apply by post or in person by:
See ‘Where to get help and information’ for more details.
You can change your gender on federal formal 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:
AND
Under the Australian Government Guidelines, you need to provide one of the following with your request for a change of your recorded gender:
You do not need to have had surgery and/or hormone therapy for the recognition of a change of gender in federal government records. This means that even though you may not have any related medical procedures, you can still apply to correct the gender information recorded on your personal record.
| Document | Department | What you need to do |
| Your Medicare card | Services Australia | Attend a Medicare Service Centre in person and provide one of the above documents outlined in the Australian Government Guidelines |
| Your Centrelink file | Services Australia | Attend a Centrelink Service Centre in person and provide one of the above documents outlined in the Australian Government Guidelines |
| Your passport | Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade |
For both a new passport and/or to change your gender on an existing passport, you need to start the application process online and then print it for lodgement. For this application, you must also provide one of the documents outlined in the Australian Government Guidelines. If you are in the process of transitioning, you can provide a statement from a registered medical practitioner or psychologist that you have had or are receiving appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition. This should be provided on DFAT’s ‘Declaration: sex/gender of passport applicant form’. |
No. The different departments may have different application forms and therefore varied outcomes around changing your gender identification.
Services Australia can update your gender as male or female for their personal records system, If you identify as non-binary, they can only add a note on your personal record about this. You can also tell them you prefer not to use a courtesy title such as Miss, Mr or Ms.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides for the recognition of your gender as M (male), F (female), or X (indeterminate/intersex/unspecified) on your passport. However, the Department notes that those travelling with a passport showing ‘X’ may encounter difficulties when crossing borders due to its infrequent use. In more conservative countries or areas you may become the focus of unwanted attention.
The steps involved with changing your driver’s licence will vary depending on the state or territory that you live in.
In Victoria, you will need to visit a VicRoads customer service centre and provide one of the following documents:
You are also able to request to change your title to:
The Australian Government Guidelines on the Recognition of Sex and Gender.
The Department of Justice provides guidance on what constitutes a statutory declaration in NSW.
The Department of Foreign Affairs offers travel advice for LGBTI travellers on its Smart Traveller website.
For more information on changing your gender on your driver’s licence, visit VicRoads.
Parents of Gender Diverse Children provides peer support nationally to parents and those parenting trans and gender diverse children.
Transgender Victoria educates organisations and workplaces on how to provide better services for trans and gender diverse people, and seeks ways to provide direct services to the trans community.
Drummond Street Services provides social support, counselling, and other community services for LGBTIQ people.
Switchboard Victoria is a peer-led confidential counselling and support service for LGBTIQ people in Victoria.
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This resource was last updated on 3 February 2021. This is legal information only and does not constitute legal advice. You should always contact a lawyer for advice specific to your situation. Please view our disclaimer for more information.