The Australian state of Victoria is poised to enact groundbreaking legislation that would prohibit medically unnecessary surgeries performed on intersex children. This follows the release of a powerful parliamentary inquiry report that condemned such practices as human rights violations.
A Landmark Inquiry and Its Findings
The inquiry, led by a cross-party committee, delivered its final report on Monday, 1 December 2025. It concluded that irreversible medical interventions on infants and young people born with variations in sex characteristics, often conducted for cosmetic or psychosocial reasons, must end. The report explicitly stated these procedures violate human rights and recommended a legislative ban as a matter of urgency.
Victoria's Attorney-General, Jaclyn Symes, confirmed the government's intention to act on the inquiry's central recommendation. She indicated that work is already underway to draft the necessary laws, which would make Victoria the first jurisdiction in Australia to implement such a comprehensive ban. The government has accepted the report's findings in principle.
Defining 'Medical Necessity' and Protecting Rights
The proposed ban would specifically target surgeries and treatments deemed not medically necessary. This crucial distinction aims to protect procedures required to address urgent health issues, such as saving a child's life or treating a serious illness, while outlawing interventions aimed primarily at 'normalising' a child's appearance to fit binary male or female stereotypes.
The inquiry heard extensive and often distressing testimony from intersex individuals, advocates, and medical professionals. Many shared personal stories of lifelong physical and psychological harm resulting from non-consensual surgeries performed in childhood. The report emphasises the principle of bodily autonomy, arguing that individuals should have the right to make their own informed decisions about such irreversible interventions when they are old enough.
Broader Implications and the Path Forward
The Victorian government's move is expected to have significant national and international resonance. It places Victoria at the forefront of a global movement advocating for the rights of intersex people. The inquiry report also called for the establishment of a dedicated Intersex Commissioner and the creation of a specialist health service to support intersex Victorians and their families.
While the legislative timeline has not been finalised, the government's commitment signals a major shift in policy. The move is widely celebrated by human rights and LGBTQIA+ advocacy groups, who have campaigned for decades to end what they describe as harmful and outdated medical practices. The law, once enacted, will set a powerful precedent for other Australian states and territories to follow, potentially reshaping medical protocols nationwide.
