Dec 1, 2025 - Intersex children in Australia remain at risk of harm from procedures that could be deferred until they are old enough to consent for themselves, a groundbreaking new report by Equality Australia has found.
The Missing Voice provides insight into current surgical and other medical interventions on intersex children in Australia and the rationales driving these decisions.
“Our report shows that intersex children born today remain at risk of medical procedures that could be delayed or avoided altogether if stronger oversight and supports were in place,” said Equality Australia Legal Director Heather Corkhill.
“We can and must do better - for parents who need clear information, for clinicians who deserve support in making difficult decisions and for future generations of intersex children.”
Equality Australia issued Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to every major children’s hospital in the country about medical procedures performed on intersex children. Heavy redactions and inconsistent record-keeping meant that only 83 cases from NSW and Queensland were suitable for a thematic analysis, covering medical interventions between 2018 and 2023.
Non-medical rationales and disproportionate considerations were observed at least 109 times in treatment discussions (a single case could contain more than one issue) without appropriate attention to the risk of harm the decision may cause, including:
- Cosmetic justifications (46.99%)
- Gender reinforcement (16.87%)
- Unbalanced assessment of medical risks (25.30%)
- Parental distress/confusion (62.65%)
The report also highlighted the absence of a strong, independent system for resolving complex cases and found that hospitals lack consistent, centralised processes and documentation practices.
“The current system is in dire need of reform. Even one case of harm is one too many,” Ms Corkhill said.
The report calls for urgent reform to legislate and properly resource oversight frameworks across the country to safeguard the autonomy and rights of intersex children, like those implemented in the ACT and committed to in Victoria.
“An oversight body would not delay urgent or essential medical treatment, but it would prioritise giving each child the freedom to keep as many future options open as possible.”
The report also includes 11 stories from intersex people, providing a rare and invaluable insight into the deeply personal consequences of early medical interventions.
“It’s heartbreaking to hear the stories of people who were harmed by surgeries performed before they were old enough to speak for themselves. Many of them still live with the consequences of decisions they had no real part in - and which could have waited until they were old enough to decide for themselves,” Ms Corkhill said.
Tony Briffa, international LGBTIQ+ advocate:
“In Australia, infants and children with intersex variations are still subjected to irreversible and non-essential surgeries, including clitoral reduction and the removal of healthy gonads.
“The differences with our bodies are a natural part of human diversity and surgical and hormonal interventions should only go ahead when the medical necessity outweighs the risk of causing someone lasting harm.
“What happened to me was wrong, and I’ve spent the last 25 years fighting to make sure it never happens to another person. Every intersex person in Australia should be able to live a full and dignified life in which they decide what happens to their own body.”
Associate Professor Dr Morgan Carpenter, bioethicist and Executive Director of InterAction for Health and Human Rights (IHRA).
"Clinicians in this field have asserted that adults who complain received ‘obsolete treatments’ and their techniques have changed.
“I analysed recent records of team discussions in children’s hospitals for Equality Australia and InterAction. Many of the children whose treatment is discussed are still being treated in paediatric hospitals.
“The information disclosed is troubling and often distressing. Children with intersex variations are still not being treated in line with community expectations and human rights standards. Without accountability and deterrents, this will not change."
Background:
People with intersex traits differ from medical and social norms for male and female bodies including differences in anatomy, reproductive organs or hormonal and chromosomal patterns.
There is no universal agreement on the variations considered intersex, but at least 40 known variations occur across approximately 1.7% of the population.
In October 2021, the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) urged all Australian governments to implement measures that prevent harmful medical interventions on intersex people without personal consent.
Earlier this year, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) passed a motion at its annual conference calling for the deferral of all non-urgent medical and surgical interventions for intersex people who can’t consent to them.
In March 2023, the ACT passed the nation’s first laws to protect intersex people from medical procedures made without their say.
Intersex children often undergo medical procedures before reaching the age of consent that can have long-term consequences, including:
- Loss of sexual function and sensation
- Loss of fertility
- Urinary tract issues, including incontinence
- A need for ongoing medical treatment/repeat surgeries
- Incorrect gender assignment
- Loss of autonomy and loss of choice
- Negative self-image
For the report and fact sheet: https://equalityaustralia.org.au/take-action/campaigns/intersex-human-rights/
Contact: Tara Ravens, 0408 898 154
