Finding a doctor

Finding a doctor who supports you and your gender affirmation goals can be difficult. Many trans and gender diverse people report negative and, in some cases, harmful experiences with health professionals. This can be especially tough for people who are non-binary. 

Connecting with a gender affirming doctor can be a great step in figuring out your options, looking after your health and body, and feeling like you’re in control of your own affirmation, and your life in general. 

Currently there is little training on offer for GPs and other doctors wanting to support their trans patients. Doctors often rely on information shared by their (very knowledgeable) patients and peers or conduct their own research in order to feel confident to provide good quality care. 

There are, however, an increasing number of GPs who will start and manage hormonal care using an informed consent model. This model was established at the Callen Lorde Community Centre1 in New York, and centres trans people as the experts of their own personal experience, who have the right to choose what happens to their bodies.  

The informed consent model is also known as ‘affirmation enablement’ and allows for individualised and appropriate gender affirming hormonal care for people who can make an informed decision and are aged 18+, facilitated by a GP.  In most Australian jurisdictions, people aged under 18 can access hormones once they reach Gillick competence and provided both parents/carers’ consent. 

Questions to ask

Having existing doctors in your life can be a great thing, especially if they already care for and respect you, but sometimes coming out to a health professional can seem like a difficult or scary experience.

If you’re not sure how a conversation like that would go in person, or feel unsafe in any way, it can be useful to call or email your doctor or clinic and ask them directly or have a friend do it for you. Asking that question from the comfort of your own home can sometimes make all the difference, particularly if you get an answer you don’t want to hear.

We developed a list 10 questions for doctors to find out if they are trans-friendly. The resource includes questions such as:

  • Is there an inclusion or diversity policy, and does it explicitly include trans and gender diverse people?
  • Is there a policy specifically about supporting gender-affirming healthcare?
  • Have staff received trans awareness and inclusivity training, and is there ongoing training regarding the experiences and needs of trans patients?
  • Do your intake forms have options for people whose gender isn’t male or female?

We’ve also prepared some letters templates where you can fill in your details and take them to a doctor: one to let them know your name and pronouns and that you are trans, and another to start the conversation about starting or continuing hormones. Being in control of who looks after your health is a valid and okay thing to want, and something you are allowed to do.

Finding a doctor in Australia

Connecting with a gender affirming doctor can be a great step in figuring out your options, looking after your health and body, and feeling like you’re in control of your own affirmation, and your life in general. In some areas of Australia there are specialised trans and gender diverse doctors, clinics, and LGBTQ+ health centres. Please keep in mind that some specialised clinics and centres may have long wait times. If you are someone who lives in a rural or regional area you might consider travelling elsewhere or booking a telehealth appointment to access the care you need.


Explore Directories:

TransHub Directory: A directory of doctors all across Australia, that allows you to search by location and the types of care you are looking for.

Trans AU: A community-led national directory of services and community groups for trans and gender diverse people.

AusPATH Providers: A national directory of trans health care providers who are members of the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH).

Health Centres & Clinics

Maple Leaf House – Newcastle

Provides multidisciplinary gender-affirming care for individuals aged 24 and under.

Operates under the John Hunter Children’s Hospital.

Contact Maple Leaf House

True Colours – Sydney

Offers gender-affirming services for individuals aged 16 to 25.

Contact True Colours

Kaleido Health Centre – Sydney

Health services for LGBTQ+ people, including primary care and general practice, sexual health, mental health support, gender-affirming care, drug and alcohol and cancer screening services.

Contact Kaleido Health

The Albion Centre (Albion) – Sydney

Interdisciplinary public health care services, offering trans‑inclusive sexual health care, counselling, pharmacy, nutrition, and gender-affirming care.

Contact The Albion Centre

Monash Health Gender Clinic – Melbourne

A government-funded clinic providing services for trans and gender diverse people.
Contact Monash Health Gender Clinic

Equinox, Thorne Harbour Health – Melbourne

A peer-led service providing gender affirming care.
Contact Equinox

Stonewall Medical Centre – Brisbane
Specialist services for trans and gender diverse people, sexual health and psychology care.

Contact Stonewall Medical Centre

Gender Service, Metro North Health – Brisbane

A service for trans and gender diverse people aged 17 years and over. Support for psychiatry, speech pathology, hormone replacement therapy and social support services.
Contact Metro North Health Gender Service

There are currently no medical centres or clinics available for adults in South Australia. You can search doctor directories, book a telehealth appointment or contact Shine SA for recommendations.

Rainbow Care Clinic – Hobart

A gender affirming hormone therapy service provided by Dr Holly Inglis.

Contact Rainbow Care Clinic


Clinic 60 – Hobart
A multidisciplinary clinic offering gender affirming hormone therapy and other support services.
Contact Clinic 60

There are currently no medical centres or clinics available for adults in South Australia. You can search doctor directories, book a telehealth appointment or contact Gender Agenda for recommendations.

There are currently no medical centres or clinics available for adults in the Territory. You can search doctor directories, book a telehealth appointment or contact the Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council for recommendations.

There are currently no medical centres or clinics available for adults in Western Australia. You can search doctor directories, book a telehealth appointment or contact Trans Folks of WA for recommendations.

Prism Health
Online service providing hormone therapy and gender care services for adults and children.

Contact Prism Health

Telehealth Gender Clinic
Online service providing hormone therapy and gender care services for transgender, gender diverse and gender questioning people in Australia. Contact Telehealth Gender Clinic

Prism Health
Online service providing hormone therapy and gender care services for adults and children.

Contact Prism Health

Telehealth Gender Clinic
Online service providing hormone therapy and gender care services for transgender, gender diverse and gender questioning people in Australia. Contact Telehealth Gender Clinic

References & Links 

1 Callen Lorde – a New York LGBTQ Community Health Center

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