In a historic move, Victoria will become the first state in Australia to eliminate all fees associated with updating the gender marker on birth certificates — a significant and affirming change for the trans and gender diverse community.
The Allan Labor Government has officially amended the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act (Fees) Regulations 2019, removing all charges for changing the recorded sex on a Victorian birth certificate.
Removing Financial Barriers to Legal Recognition
Announcing the reform, Minister for Government Services Natalie Hutchins said:
“We’re making sure money isn’t an obstacle for trans and gender diverse people to have documents that reflect who they really are.”
Until now, trans Victorians were required to pay $140.40 to amend their birth certificate, while those born outside the state paid $122 for a recognised details certificate. Under the new regulation, these fees have now been scrapped entirely.
Additionally, if a person chooses to change their name at the same time, both the application fee and postage within Australia will also be waived.
The Victorian Government says the change aims to remove long-standing financial barriers that have prevented many trans and gender diverse people from obtaining accurate, affirming legal documentation. Such documents are vital for a range of everyday tasks — from enrolling in tertiary education to opening a bank account, applying for a driver’s licence, or accessing government services.
According to state data, only one third of trans and gender diverse Victorians currently have identity documents that reflect their lived identity.
“This is an important step forward for our trans and gender diverse communities – an empowering measure that provides fair and proper legal recognition of their lived identity,” said Minister for Equality Vicki Ward.
Part of a Broader Commitment to Trans Inclusion
Victoria previously reformed its laws in 2020, removing the requirement for trans people to undergo surgery in order to amend the sex marker on their birth certificate. That reform was praised for better reflecting the lived realities of trans people, and today’s announcement builds on that progress.
The timing of the announcement — following Trans Awareness Week and Trans Day of Remembrance — further underscores its importance. These dates are used to highlight both the resilience of trans communities and the discrimination, violence, and systemic barriers they continue to face.
A Stand Against Global Anti-Trans Hostility
Victoria’s decision comes amid an escalating international wave of anti-trans rhetoric and restrictive policies. In the United States, following Donald Trump’s return to the White House, several states have introduced laws targeting trans people — including bans on gender-affirming care for minors, restrictions in schools, and attempts to limit healthcare access for trans adults. Alarmingly, reports have emerged of the FBI seeking to label trans people as ‘extremists’.
In the United Kingdom, misinformation and moral panic have fuelled political attacks on trans healthcare, while in New Zealand, the government has just introduced a ban on gender-affirming care for young people — a decision widely condemned by medical bodies and LGBTQIA+ advocates.
In Australia, there has been growing concern over similar developments. In Queensland, the government reinstated a controversial ban on gender-affirming care for new young patients on the same day it was overturned by the Supreme Court. Across the country, conservative lobby groups continue to pressure governments to unwind inclusive education policies and restrict access to support services.
Victoria Sends a Clear Message
By removing unnecessary costs for affirming identity documents, Victoria is taking a strong and deliberate stance in support of trans dignity and inclusion — at a time when that support is more vital than ever.
