Dutch Protocol

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International › Australia · Last reviewed 2026-05-16

Australia

Summary

In Australia the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne issued national clinical guidelines in 2018 based on the Dutch Protocol, with adaptations for the Australian legal context. Until 2017 court authorisation was required for Stage 2 treatment with cross-sex hormones (Re Jamie, Re Kelvin). In 2024 the New South Wales government announced an independent review of paediatric gender care.

1. Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne 2018 guideline

The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne (RCH) published the Australian Standards of Care and Treatment Guidelines for Trans and Gender Diverse Children and Adolescents in 2018, with explicit reference to the Dutch Protocol.1

2. Family Court — Re Jamie and Re Kelvin

Until 2017 court authorisation was required for Stage 2 treatment (cross-sex hormones) under Re Jamie (2013). In Re Kelvin (2017) the Australian Family Court ruled that such authorisation was no longer required where parents, child and treating clinicians agree. See /debate/legal-cases/.2

3. NSW review (2024)

The New South Wales government announced an independent review of paediatric gender care in 2024, similar in design to the Cass Review. The review was carried out in 2025 under an independent commission.3

See also

Footnotes

  1. Telfer MM, Tollit MA, Pace CC, Pang KC. Australian Standards of Care and Treatment Guidelines for trans and gender diverse children and adolescents. Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne; 2018.
  2. Re Kelvin [2017] FamCAFC 258.
  3. NSW Government. Independent review of paediatric gender services. Announced 2024.
  4. D'Angelo R, et al. One size does not fit all: in support of psychotherapy for gender dysphoria. Arch Sex Behav. 2020;50(1):7–16.