Children with gender dysphoria will be denied puberty blockers as a state government reviews hormone therapies for minors.
The Queensland government launched the investigation after reports that gender-affirming hormones had been given to children as young as 12 without authorised care.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls on Tuesday announced the independent review into the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors experiencing gender dysphoria.
The state has immediately paused any new patients under 18 accessing paediatric gender therapies through the public system until the government considers the review's outcome.
Children already on a treatment plan — nearly 600 in total — can still access the services.
Children experiencing gender dysphoria but unable to start hormone therapy will still be able to access psychiatric and psychological support.
In a statement, advocacy group Equality Australia expressed concern over the decision, and said it made Queensland an "outlier state".
"This will be catastrophic for young trans people and their families when the evidence on the benefits of hormone treatments is clear and well established," Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown said.
"This move is at odds with the current evidence base, expert consensus, health services in all other Australian states and territories and the majority of clinical guidelines around the world."
Jeremy Wiggins is CEO of Transcend Australia, a charity that helps families support their trans, gender diverse and non-binary children.
"These families want politicians to stay out of the doctor’s office and away from their personal healthcare decisions," he said.
"Healthcare for trans young people is essential and needs to be protected. To restrict or deny access to care is a dangerous political move that seeks to target an already marginalised and vulnerable group of people.
“Trans young people know who they are and what they need and we should be listening to them, their parents and their medical providers."
Why is Queensland blocking hormone treatments?
The review was sparked by reports paediatric gender services were being given to children at the far north's Cairns Sexual Health Service without proper medical support and parental consent.
Queensland's Liberal National government said a public interest disclosure was received regarding a 12-year-old being prescribed a puberty blocker without proper consultation in Cairns.
Multi-disciplinary consultation must be sought for all under-14s who want to start puberty blockers which involves input from psychologists, psychiatrists, paediatricians and family.
Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls announced a review into the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors. Source: AAP / Darren England
It also found the service had deficiencies in credentialing and scope of practice, kept inadequate client records about multidisciplinary team discussions, and raised concerns about patient and parental consent.
There were also delayed blood tests or bone mineral density tests for some patients.
"In short, assessment, diagnosis and treatment may not have aligned with Australian treatment guidelines," Nicholls said on Tuesday.
An investigation into the Cairns clinic is now underway looking at the health services delivered to patients and the governance framework, with a report expected by the end of June.
The review into the Cairns service is in addition to a broader statewide investigation into the use of hormone therapies in children and whether there should be more regulations on medical gender-affirming care.
Gender-affirming care for young people has come under scrutiny globally with the controversial Cass review in the UK ultimately leading to the National Health Service restricting the use of puberty blockers in children.
An independent review in 2024 found Queensland children with gender dysphoria were not being rushed or coerced into receiving puberty blockers or hormones.
It did however identify the state's gender services were struggling to keep up with the waitlists, with times blowing out to 577 days depending on the urgency for care.
The review said children were entitled to robust care regardless of the debate around puberty blockers, hormones and long-term effects.
"The service ... supports the right of the child or adolescent with diverse gender experiences to express themselves and access health care," it said.
LGBTIQ+ Australians seeking support with mental health can contact QLife on 1800 184 527 or visit . also has a list of support services.
Intersex Australians seeking support can visit Intersex Peer Support Australia at isupport.org.au
