What legal rights do you have at school as a trans or gender diverse young person?

What is this resource?

This resource is for trans and gender diverse young people and their families in the NT.

This resource answers some common questions trans and gender diverse young people, and their families, have about their rights at school in relation to school uniforms, bathrooms, camps and sports teams.

By reading this resource you will get a better understanding of your rights at school in the Northern Territory.

This resource includes:

• What counts as discrimination?
• What can you do if you are discriminated against?
• What laws protect trans and gender diverse young people?

You have rights

As a trans and/or gender diverse student in Australia, you have the same rights and protections under the law which are afforded to all students. The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) prohibit discrimination in public life on the basis of gender identity. The Anti-Discrimination Act 1992 (NT) prohibits discrimination on the basis of a person’s sexual orientation and gender identity.   

Schools have a duty of care to students and must take reasonable steps to protect students from foreseeable risks of harm at school. Despite these obligations, it can still be daunting to navigate the different gendered facilities and activities at school. For example, wearing a gendered school uniform, using gendered bathrooms, going on school camps and participating in school sports teams. 

Further, many trans and gender diverse students have found their schools to be unsupportive of their gender status. 

What is discrimination at school?

Generally speaking, discrimination means treating (or proposing to treat) someone unfairly or less favourably than others because of one or more of their personal characteristics. This can happen in different places and contexts. 

Discrimination is against the law when it happens at school. This means it is against the law for schools and teachers to discriminate against you, either directly or indirectly, on the basis of your gender identity. 

What counts as discrimination?

It is discriminatory, and therefore unlawful, for a school to treat you It is discriminatory, and therefore unlawful, for a school to treat you less favourably than other students because you are trans and/or gender diverse, such as by: 

• Refusing or failing to accept your application for admission as a student 

• Only admitting you as a student on certain terms (that would not otherwise apply) 

• Denying you access, or limiting your access, to any benefit provided by the school 

• Expelling or subjecting you to any disadvantage 

The above are examples of direct discrimination.  

Indirect discrimination occurs where a requirement, condition or practice is applied to all students equally, but when applied is likely to have the effect of disadvantaging students with a particular characteristic (and it is not reasonable).    

Are there any exceptions?

Yes, there are some exceptions. 

For example, it is usually not against the law to discriminate against someone in competitive sporting activities on the basis of their gender identity where some competitive advantage may be gained because of a disparity between relative strength, stamina or physique of competitors. This could involve refusing or failing to select someone for a sporting team or excluding them from participating in the sporting team. This exception does not apply to sporting activities by children who are younger than 12 years old.  

Another example is that a single-sex school may refuse to accept your application for admission if you are not of the same sex that the school operates for. 

There are also some exceptions that may apply to religious schools. Some discrimination laws allow conduct by religious schools that would otherwise be considered discriminatory. As a result of these exceptions, it may be possible for religious schools to treat students differently on the basis of their gender identity in some circumstances. If you have any questions about this, consider contacting the AHRC or Department of Education and Training. 

What can you do about gender discrimination at school?

If you are being discriminated against by a school and/or teacher because you are trans and gender diverse, you have the right to make a complaint or take legal action. Take a look at our fact sheet on dealing with gender discrimination. 

Are there any laws or policies in Australia that protect the rights of trans and gender diverse students at school? 

No, but Education policies and guidelines exist which address aspects of schooling for trans and gender diverse students such as: 

• changing your name/gender used at school 

• school uniforms 

• bathrooms 

• school camps 

• sports teams 

Policies and guidelines are important and do help protect the rights of trans and gender diverse students at school. Some states have started to implement policies in line with broader anti-discrimination legislation. However, they don’t carry the same authority as legislation. 

The policies that guide schools vary depending on which state or territory you live in, as well as which school you go to. 

What about in the NT?

The NT has not yet implemented policies for schools in regards to trans and/or gender diverse children and young people in the NT to support anti-discrimination legislation. 

Where to get help and more information

• Justice Connect has a fact sheet on How to deal with gender discrimination available online. 
• Parents of Gender Diverse Children provides peer support nationally to parents and those parenting trans and gender diverse children. To access their resources or make an enquiry, visit the PGDC website. 
• The Department of Health of the Northern Territory provides a guide on health and wellbeing services for trans and gender diverse children and adolescents. 
• OUT in NT Community Connection is a website that aims to connect the community to information, resources and each other.