Leave quickly Safety tips
Truename home
Under 18s and parents · early version

Under 18: changing a name or gender marker

Easy Read

  • If you are under 18, the rules are different from the rules for adults.
  • Often a parent or guardian has to apply for you.
  • In some places, a court or tribunal has to say yes first.
  • In some places you can apply yourself: in the ACT from age 14, in Tasmania from age 16, and in Queensland from age 16 to change your record of sex.
  • You may be able to use a different name day to day without changing it legally. Ask your school or the organisation.
  • You can talk to Kids Helpline any time on 1800 55 1800.
  • This is general information, not legal advice. Check the official page before you apply.

For young people, and for parents, carers and guardians who want to support them. The rules depend on where the birth is registered, and they’re different for under 18s than for adults. Often a parent applies, or a court or tribunal has to agree first.

General information, not legal advice. Each point comes from the linked official source. Last checked 14 Nov 2026. Some situations, like when parents disagree, can get complicated. A community legal centre can help. See community resources.

Using a different name day to day doesn’t need a legal change. These rules are for changing the name or marker on the birth registration.

New South Wales

Name

  • A parent or guardian applies for a child under 18.
  • If two parents are on the birth record, both must consent, unless one is the only parent named, the other parent has died, or a court has approved the change.
  • For a child aged 14 to 18, the application includes consent to a national police check.

Source: NSW Government: Change of name policy. Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

Sex or gender marker

  • Parents or guardians must apply for a child under 18.
  • The application needs a statutory declaration from the child if they can make one, or a statement of support from each parent or guardian.
  • It also needs a statement of support from a qualified counsellor who has provided counselling to the child.

Source: NSW Government: Change of sex (Child under 18 section). Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

Victoria

Name

  • In most cases, both parents on the birth certificate complete the application.
  • If the child is 12 or older, their name can’t be changed without their consent.
  • One parent can apply only if the birth certificate names one parent, the other parent has died, or a court (the County Court of Victoria or the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia) has ordered the change. A sole parental responsibility order on its own isn’t enough.

Source: BDM Victoria: Change your child’s name (child born in Victoria). Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

Sex or gender marker

  • Both parents named on the child’s birth certificate must apply.
  • Children aged 12 or over should record their consent in the application.
  • Each parent or guardian makes a statutory declaration. An authorised person gives a supporting statement. This is an adult who has known the child for at least 12 months and isn’t their parent or guardian, or a doctor or psychologist. A County Court order can be used instead of the supporting statement.

Source: BDM Victoria: Change your child’s record of sex (child born in Victoria). Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

Check this: If one parent can’t or won’t take part, contact BDM Victoria or get legal advice. BDM Victoria also has a page written for young people.

Queensland

Name

  • In most cases, both parents must agree to change a child’s name.
  • If the child is 12 or older, they must also agree.

Source: qld.gov.au: Change your child’s name. Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

Sex or gender marker

  • Parents apply for a child aged 15 or younger. The child must consent, and must also sign if they’re 12 to 15.
  • A developmentally informed practitioner who has a relationship with the child must complete an assessment (rules for a practitioner assessment).
  • If you’re 16 or 17, you can apply yourself using the standard process (Change your record of sex).

Source: qld.gov.au: Rules for changing your child’s record of sex. Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

Western Australia

Name

  • Parents apply using form BDM401 (Register a Change of Name, child under 18).
  • If one parent can’t get the consent of the other parent named on the birth certificate, a Family Court order saying the change is in the child’s best interests is needed first.

Source: WA Government: Changing your name. Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

Sex or gender marker

  • Under 12: a Family Court order is needed before applying to the Registry.
  • 12 and over: both parents or guardians apply, with a statement from the child consenting, and a statement from a doctor or psychologist certifying that the child understands what the application means.
  • If both parents don’t support the change, or the child is applying because neither parent supports it, a Family Court order is needed first. The court application needs evidence from a doctor or psychologist that the child has received appropriate clinical treatment.

Source: Family Court of WA: Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act applications. Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

WA explains “appropriate clinical treatment” on its change of sex or gender page. Legal Aid WA can help.

South Australia

Name

Who can apply to change a child’s name, and who needs to consent, is set out by SA Births, Deaths and Marriages. Check the official page, or contact the registry, before you apply: SA.GOV.AU: Register a change of name.

Sex or gender marker

  • For anyone under 18, the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) must approve the application.
  • The application needs a statement from a doctor or psychologist that the child has had a sufficient amount of appropriate clinical treatment.
  • You first send the form to Births, Deaths and Marriages. They assess it and send it back, so you can include it in a separate application to SACAT.

Sources: SA application form for a child (PDF) · SACAT: Births, Deaths and Marriages. Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

Tasmania

Name

  • Under 16: both parents complete the application. One parent can apply if they’re the only parent on the birth record, the other parent has died, or there’s a court order approving the change.
  • If the child is 12 or older, they fill out a consent form signed in front of a Justice of the Peace or Commissioner for Declarations.
  • 16 and older: you can apply yourself (adult process, 16 and older).

Source: Service Tasmania: Apply to register a change of name (under 16). Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

Sex or gender marker

  • Under 16: parents or guardians apply. One parent can apply in some cases, for example if they’re the only parent on the birth record, or with a magistrate’s approval.
  • 16 and older: you can apply yourself. If you’re under 18, you may be asked for evidence that you’ve had counselling about the application.

Source: Tasmanian BDM: Gender registration. Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

Australian Capital Territory

Name

  • 14 to 17: you can apply on your own to change your given names and/or sex, even if your parents don’t support it.
  • 12 or 13: you need consent from both parents, or from one parent if it isn’t possible or reasonable to get the other’s. Without consent, you need permission from the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT).
  • Under 12: you need support from one parent and permission from ACAT.
  • Under 18s can change their first and middle names only. A parent can change your surname, or you can when you turn 18.
  • If you were born outside the ACT, you need to have lived there for more than 3 months.

Source: Access Canberra: Change your name or sex as a young person. Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

Sex or gender marker

  • The same age rules apply to changing your sex: 14 to 17 on your own; 12 or 13 with consent or ACAT permission; under 12 with one parent’s support and ACAT permission.

Source: Access Canberra: Change your name or sex as a young person. Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

Northern Territory

Name

  • Both parents or guardians, and anyone else with an interest in the change, sign the application in front of a witness over 18. The child also signs if they’re over 14.
  • You must give a detailed reason for the change.

Source: NT.GOV.AU: Legal name change for child over 12 months. Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

Sex or gender marker

  • The parents (or in some cases one parent or a legal guardian) apply for a child born in the NT.
  • The child must be intersex, or have received appropriate clinical treatment. The NT page gives surgery, hormone therapy and counselling as examples.
  • A child aged 14 or older must consent.

Source: NT.GOV.AU: Register a change of sex or gender on a birth certificate. Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

Passports for under 18s

  • Anyone under 18 uses a child passport application, including 16 and 17 year olds. Children aged 0 to 15 can get a passport valid for up to 5 years, and 16 and 17 year olds one valid for up to 10 years.
  • Usually, every person with parental responsibility must consent, by completing their section of the application.
  • If you can’t get everyone’s consent, there are other options, including certain court orders or asking for an assessment under special circumstances. These can take longer, and the passport may not be approved.
  • To change the name or gender on a passport, the Passport Office lists the documents it accepts on its change of name or gender page.

Source: Australian Passport Office: Child passport. Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

Source: Australian Passport Office: Parental consent. Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

Check with the Passport Office: to change the sex or gender on a child’s passport, contact the Australian Passport Office before you apply.

School and records

  • Ask the school whether it can use a preferred name in day-to-day records without a legal change, and what its policy is.
  • In NSW public schools, if both parents consent, the school can use and record the student’s preferred first name. If a parent objects, the principal decides based on the student’s best interests, considering their age and maturity. The records can also be updated to reflect the student’s gender. The department says this advice was last reviewed in December 2014, so ask the school whether it’s still current.

    Source: NSW Department of Education: Legal issues bulletin 20. Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

  • Other states, territories and non-government schools have their own policies. Ask the school for a copy.
  • Ask who will see the change and how teachers will be told. Exam and certificate records can need a separate request.
  • Use the school letter template to ask in writing.

For parents and carers

  • In most states and territories, both parents on the birth record need to take part. If that isn’t possible, read the rules for your state above. Some need a court or tribunal order first.
  • Many registries ask for the young person’s own consent from about age 12, and in some places (ACT 14 to 17, Queensland 16 and 17, Tasmania 16 and 17) young people can apply themselves.
  • Transcend Australia is a national charity supporting families, parents and carers of trans, gender diverse and non-binary children and young people.
  • For health services for children and young people, see the clinic finder.

Support for young people

Source: Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing: Young people’s health contacts. Last checked 14 Nov 2026.

Need to talk to someone now? QLife: 1800 184 527 (3pm–9pm local time, every day). Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7). Emergency: 000.