In late 2025, Victoria signalled a historic step forward for human rights: a proposal to ban unnecessary and irreversible surgeries on intersex infants and children until they are old enough to participate in the decision.
For many in the gender-diverse and LGBTQIA+ community, this is more than a policy update — it’s a profound recognition of bodily autonomy and the right of intersex people to grow up without having decisions made about their bodies before they can consent.
This moment has huge implications for intersex children, their families, medical practice in Australia, and the future of queer rights more broadly.
What Does the Victoria Intersex Bill Propose?
The proposed Victorian reforms aim to stop medically unnecessary surgical or hormonal interventions on intersex infants and children unless:
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the procedure is required for physical health or safety, not cosmetic or social reasons
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the child can meaningfully participate in decision-making
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there are strong oversight and human-rights safeguards
It follows years of advocacy from intersex organisations, human-rights groups, and lived-experience communities who have spoken out about the long-term harm caused by these early interventions — from trauma and pain to identity struggles in adulthood.
If passed, Victoria would become the first Australian state to legislate these protections.
Why This Matters: A Victory for Bodily Autonomy
At the heart of the bill is one core principle:
Children deserve the right to grow into themselves before anyone alters their bodies.
Intersex people have long been subjected to surgeries aimed at making their bodies fit binary expectations — often justified by outdated ideas about gender, appearance, or “social ease”. These procedures can have lifelong consequences:
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loss of fertility
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scarring
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chronic pain
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trauma or mistrust of medical systems
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difficulties with identity and belonging
The Victoria bill recognises that these harms are preventable — and that intersex children deserve the same bodily integrity protections as any other child.
The Current Landscape of Intersex Rights in Australia
Intersex rights in Australia sit at a crossroads:
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Human Rights Commission reports have repeatedly called for urgent reform.
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Some hospitals have voluntarily changed practices, but national standards remain inconsistent.
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Families often lack independent information and rely heavily on medical recommendations that may not prioritise long-term wellbeing.
Victoria’s leadership could set a precedent that influences national law reform and increases awareness of intersex experiences across education, healthcare, and community spaces.
What Intersex Advocates Are Saying
Intersex-led organisations — including Intersex Human Rights Australia (IHRA) — have welcomed the bill as a long-overdue step that centres lived experience and human rights.
Advocates emphasise that these reforms:
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affirm intersex identity
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prevent unnecessary harm
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give families more support and clarity
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create a more ethical medical environment
This reform is not just legislative — it’s cultural. It acknowledges intersex people as full members of our community whose bodies don’t need “fixing”.
How Families & Support Networks Can Make a Difference
Parents and caregivers of intersex children often face confusing or conflicting guidance. A supportive community can make a huge difference.
Here are ways families and allies can help:
1. Seek intersex-led resources
Intersex organisations provide better, more holistic information than most medical systems currently do.
2. Connect with community
Peer groups allow families and young people to meet others with similar experiences and reduce isolation.
3. Push for inclusive healthcare
Ask questions. Ask for options. Ask about long-term outcomes.
Healthcare should work with — not against — the child’s emerging self.
4. Advocate in schools and local spaces
Whether through Pride clubs, visibility initiatives, or inclusive uniform/clothing policies, community support matters.
Why This Matters to Transform Transwear
As an Australian business serving the LGBTQIA+ community, we believe in body autonomy, self-determination, and identity without pressure.
While we focus on gender-affirming apparel — binders, packing boxers, swimwear — our mission is broader:
✨ to help people feel comfortable in their bodies
✨ to support young people exploring identity
✨ to contribute to a safer, more inclusive Australia
Standing with intersex people aligns directly with that mission.
What’s Next?
If Victoria passes the bill, it could pave the way for:
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similar reforms in other states and territories
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national guidelines that protect intersex children
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better-informed healthcare providers
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stronger community support structures
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greater visibility for intersex experiences
Change begins with awareness — and this moment is an important opportunity for learning, listening, and amplifying intersex voices.
Final Thoughts
2025 may become a turning point for intersex rights in Australia.
The proposed Victorian reforms centre autonomy, dignity, and the right for every child to grow into their identity without unnecessary medical intervention.
Whether you're intersex, transgender, nonbinary, queer, a parent, or an ally — this is a moment worth paying attention to.
At Transform Transwear, we stand with the intersex community, today and every day.
