Name & Gender Change

The process of changing your name depends on the state or territory. You can change your name in the state or territory where you were born or in some cases where you are a resident. Note that this information is only about laws in Australia, if you are an international student it would be also important to find out how laws in your home country may affect you, before taking any steps.

ACT

If you reside in the ACT or your birth certificate is registered in the ACT (i.e. you were born in the ACT), you can change your name through the ACT processes. You are deemed to reside in the ACT if you have lived in the ACT for three months continuously immediately prior to applying to change your name.

You will need your identity documents and/or proof of ACT residency. You will also need to complete and sign an application form. You are required to pay a $195 fee.

You can lodge an application via email, post or visit Access Canberra in person. For more information please visit this webpage.
 

NSW

If:

1. your birth certificate is registered in NSW (i.e. you were born in NSW); or
2. You were born overseas but you have been a resident in NSW for 3 years when you apply,

you can change your name through the NSW processes.
 

You will need your identity documents and/or proof of NSW residency. You will also need to complete and sign an application form. You are required to pay $195 fee.

You can lodge an application online, by post or visit Service NSW in person. For more information please visit this webpage.

For information on how to change your name in other states and territories: Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia, Northern Territory.
 

Note it’s important to consider how changing your name will affect things like your passport, bank accounts and other key documentation or identification that you need to use.

Note this information is primarily for Australian citizens or permanent residents. International students would need to consider also any issues that might arise in their home countries. Sometimes if a country discriminates against a person on the grounds of their gender identity, it may give rise to a claim for refugee status. Even where this is not the case, it is important to understand any legal requirements that may apply overseas.

Federal documents (passport, Medicare and Centrelink records)
 

The Australian Government Guidelines on recognising gender apply to all federal agencies.

Under the guidelines, federal departments and agencies must take all reasonable steps to correct gender information in their records. You do not need to have had surgery and/or hormone therapy for recognition of change of gender on federal government records.

To change your passport, apply to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. To change your Medicare and Centrelink records, apply to Services Australia.
 

You will need to provide one of the following with your request:

• a statement from a medical practitioner or psychologist specifying your gender
• a state or territory birth certificate specifying your gender or a gender recognition certificate
• an Australian passport specifying your gender

Other documents
 

The process to change your birth certificate and drivers licence depends on the relevant state or territory.

To change your birth certificate, apply to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages for most states and territories or Access Canberra in the ACT. With your completed application form, you need to provide documentation from medical practitioners and identity documents. You can generally lodge an application online, by post or in person.

There is a general requirement that clinical treatment must have occurred in order to change the legal sex on your birth certificate (except in Victoria). Unfortunately, in NSW and Queensland, this means that people are required to undergo gender affirming surgery.

To change the gender on your driver’s licence, in the ACT you can contact Access Canberra in person or over the phone and present proof of identity. In NSW you will need to visit Services NSW and present proof of identity along with another document evidencing your gender. Other states’ and territories’ requirements vary: Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia, Northern Territory.

You can update your preferred name on ISIS. This changes your name on ANU internal systems such as Wattle, student email and ISIS. To change your gender or name on official ANU documents such as your Academic Transcript and Testamur, you need to complete an application form and provide supporting documentation. For more information about this process please visit this webpage.

You are welcome to seek legal advice and support by booking in for a legal appointment with the ANUSA Legal Service. We can assist with advice on laws about changing your name and/or gender on official records.