Adoption of Children Legislation Amendment (Equality) Bill 2017

The ability for same-sex couples to legally adopt a child.

Adoption is not a federal law and is state-based. Since April 2018, same-sex couples can adopt children in all jurisdictions within Australia.

This is not decided at the Federal level, but at the territorial government level.  Some territories allow it, others do not.

Following the amendment in the Queensland Criminal Code, the age of consent is now equal across all states and territories of Australia.

The difference between legal age of consent for homosexual sex and heterosexual sex.

In Australia sexually active LGBT people are unable to donate blood unless they abstain from sex for three months. Since 2021, the deferral period within Australia was reduced from 1 year to 3 months without PrEP. 
 
In June 2023, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved a submission from Australian Red Cross Lifeblood calling to remove most sexual activity ineligibility criteria for plasma donors.

The ability for MSMs (men who have sex with men) to donate blood or tissue for organ transplants. A deferral period refers to a waiting time before a man can donate after having sex.

The Red Cross controls blood donations in Australia and it has a ban on MSMs active in the last year 

Not mentioned in law, not punished either. Bias of coverage is more based on media concentration.

Censorship or prohibition of discussing, promoting, or teaching LGBTQ+ topics in media, schools, and in the general public.

Federal: legal, surgery not required from 2013 under the Australian Government Guidelines on the Recognition of Sex and Gender. According to ILGA, at least three subnational jurisdictions require surgeries. 
 
By region: Most states don't allow you to change your gender marker more than once in a 12-month period. The High Court of Australia has ruled that gender reassignment surgery does not need to be comprehensive, just be socially identifiable as your preferred gender. 
• Any government department that operates at a federal level does not require surgery. 
• In NSW a gender marker change requires GRS, top surgery, or orchiectomy. 
• In Queensland gender change requires an application confirming surgery or proof of reassignment surgery. 
• In South Australia no surgery is required, only proof of psychological counseling. 
• In Tasmania no surgery is required, they may require proof of psychological counseling for persons under 18. 
• In Victoria no surgery is required, you just have to attest you are the gender you claim. 
• In Western Australia surgery is not required. 
• In Northern Territory clinical treatment, either: surgery, hormone therapy, or counselling is required.

Legal recognition of sex reassignment by permitting a change of legal gender on an individual's birth certificate.

Conversion therapy is illegal in the ACT, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Other states are either planning to introduce a bill, or have not introduced a bill as of yet.

Legal status of conducting sexual orientation changing therapy ("ex-gay" therapy)

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act of 1986 prevents discriminatory activities, however, the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 provides exemptions for religious institutions.

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual 
Orientation, Gender Identity and 
Intersex Status) Act 2013

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity in employment, including hiring, promotion, termination, harassment, etc.

In 1997 the High Court of Australia ruled that Tasmania's anti-gay laws were inconsistent with federal law, and Tasmania (the final jurisdiction with contrary laws) was forced to decriminalise homosexuality.

Consensual sexual activity between individuals of the same sex.

Homosexual activity was federally decriminalized by the Human Rights (Sexual Conduct) Act 1994, although some local state laws remained inconsitent until 1997.

Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 made it to where LGBTQ persons are not to be discriminated against through housing, banking, and other rights 

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity when applying for housing or discrimination by landlords / property owners.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Australia since 9 December 2017. The legislation to allow same-sex marriage, the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017, passed the Australian Parliament on 7 December 2017 and received royal assent from the Governor-General the following day.

Marriage and marriage recognition between two people of the same biological sex and/or gender identity.

Same-sex marriage was unrecognized until 2017.

LGBTQ+ people are allowed to serve in the Australian army. 

The ability for homosexuals to serve in the military and be open about their sexuality.

Australia does have recognition of nonbinary gender through the X marker on passports since 2011, making it one of the first countries to offer it. 
 
However, for other IDs, the availability of the X gender marker varies by states. It's not recognised in New South Wales, for example.

Legal recognition of non-binary, genderqueer, or third gender identities.

Australia

Gay Tweed Heads Guide 2024 - gay bars, clubs, saunas & more

Tweed Heads

Check In

Check Out

Guests

Destination

  Browse a selection of tours in Tweed Heads from our
                partners with free cancellation 24 hours before your tour
                starts.

Gay Tweed Heads

About Tweed Heads

Tweed Heads Tours