On 28 January 2025, the Queensland Government announced an independent review (Review), led by Professor Ruth Vine (Lead Reviewer), with the support of a panel of expert reviewers (the Reviewers).
The Review will consider the evidence and ethical considerations and provide policy advice to the Queensland Government regarding the use of puberty suppression (Stage 1) and gender affirming (Stage 2) hormones for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria in Queensland's public hospital system.
The Reviewers will provide a final report to the Director-General of Queensland Health by 30 November 2025.
More information on what the review will and will not consider can be found in the terms of reference.
View the terms of reference (PDF 132 kB).
Panel Members
- Professor Ruth Vine is a consultant psychiatrist with more than 30 years' experience in the public mental health sector. Professor Vine was Australia's first Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Mental Health, has held roles in the Victorian Department of Health including Director of Mental Health and Chief Psychiatrist and has provided policy development and implementation advice on critical issues in the Australian mental health system.
- Associate Professor Beth Kotze is a child and adolescent psychiatrist with experience in clinical practice, teaching and training, policy development and implementation and mental health service management.
- Professor Bruce Robinson is an endocrinologist with over 30 years' experience in medical practice and leadership, medical research and medical education.
- Professor Eleanor Milligan is an Adjunct Professor of Ethics and Professional Practice at Griffith University's School of Medicine with 25 years' experience across sectors including health governance and practitioner regulation.
- The Hon Kerry O'Brien AM is the former Chief Judge of the Queensland District Court having previously also been President of the Children's Court of Queensland and presided over the Health Practitioner's Tribunal.
- Professor Lisa Brophy is a Professor in Social Work and Social Policy at La Trobe University with experience in social work and mental health policy and law reform.
- Associate Professor Malcolm Smith is an Associate Professor at the Griffith University Law School and is an expert in health law and bioethics.
Stakeholder submissions
The Review will enable participation in the submission process from individuals and organisations, including clinicians and professionals, young people and their families.
The Reviewer/s will consult and receive input from the persons and organisations identified in the Terms of Reference by:
- conducting interviews (in-person or virtually) with a sample of stakeholders invited by the Lead Reviewer and Reviewers; and
- inviting stakeholders from the general public to provide written submissions in response to a set of questions determined by a panel of experts.
The current public consultation process closes 29 July 2025.
Support services
Information about support services for persons engaging with the Review, including children and adolescents with gender dysphoria, is available here.
Participation and consent
The Review is being conducted independently of Queensland Health, however the information gathered and generated by the Review will be subject to the same requirements that apply to Queensland Health. Before you provide information to the Review, it is important that you are aware of these requirements.
Queensland Health is subject to the Information Privacy Act 2009, which relates to how personal information is collected, stored, used, disclosed, updated and managed. For information about how Queensland Health protects personal information, or to learn about your right to access your own personal information, please refer to Queensland Health's Privacy Policy.
By participating in the Review as an individual, you acknowledge Queensland Health may collect personal information about you, your family or persons in your care to inform the Review. You also consent to this information being disclosed by the reviewers to Queensland Health officers and employees, the Lead Reviewer, Reviewers, government officers and other persons engaged by the Review Team for the purpose of delivery on the Terms of Reference.
All Review information will be securely stored and accessed only by authorised persons. Your participation will be treated confidentially, and the personal information you provide will not be disclosed beyond the specific purpose of the review process without your express consent, unless authorised or required by or under law.
You may be able to provide information as part of the Review, either by invitation to an interview with the Reviewers (with the option of a support person attending), or via a written submission. If you provide information in an interview, you will be asked whether you consent to the audio of that discussion being recorded. Participation in interviews is voluntary and you may decline to participate or answer any questions.
Records generated and/or received by the Review will be stored and held by Queensland Health, which means the records:
- will be managed by Queensland Health in accordance with the Public Records Act 2023, other legislation, and applicable policies and procedures. The Review will need to keep information provided by stakeholders, and may not be able to destroy information on request
- will be subject to the Right to Information Act 2009 and the Information Privacy Act 2009. This does not automatically mean records of the Review would be disclosed in response to an access application under those Acts, and
- may include confidential information about health services someone has received under the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011, which must be managed in accordance with the requirements of the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011.
The Review will produce a report, which may be made public. You may be asked for your consent to include statements you have made, or information you have provided, in the final report. Any statements or information will be de-identified so as not to identify you or others. Any statements or information you provide will not be directly quoted in the final report without first obtaining your consent.
Required fields are marked with an asterisk ( * ).
Consultation questions
Key terminology used in the questions
- Stage 1 treatment refers to the administration of puberty suppressant hormones (known as “puberty blockers”). This treatment suppresses the onset of puberty and physical characteristics which may not align with a child or adolescent's gender identity.
- Stage 2 treatment refers to the administration of sex hormones (either oestrogen or testosterone), resulting in delay or the development of physical characteristics which may align with the child or adolescent’s gender identity (such as facial hair and muscle growth for those taking testosterone and breast development and reduced visibility of body hair for those taking oestrogen).
- Governance refers to the structures and processes underpinning the safe, effective, and ethical delivery of care. They encompass the relationships and responsibilities between various stakeholders, including clinicians, administrators, patients, and others, to ensure quality, safety, and accountability.
About you
Questions
We are going to ask you some questions in relation to each term of reference.
As well as the views and preferences of children and adolescents and their families, what other factors do you think a practitioner should consider when deciding whether to prescribe the following:
Concerns have been raised about reversibility or irreversibility of hormone treatment. Do you have concerns about this for:
In your view, are there areas of current practice relating to Stage 1 and/or Stage 2 hormone treatment for children and adolescents that lack sufficient evidence?
Do you think this area of care has appropriate:
For any questions about participating in the Review, please contact Queensland Health’s Gender Services Review Team via email at GenderReview@health.qld.gov.au.
