Victorian Parliament passes health safeguards bill

Breaking news

The Victorian Parliament has passed the Health Safeguards Bill, protecting the health and wellbeing of children with innate variations of sex characteristics. On 6 February, in the lower house, the Bill passed unanimously on voices. Today in the upper house, the Bill passed 24 votes to 15.

The Bill received support from a broad range of parties across the political spectrum, including Labor (in government), the Greens, Animal Justice, Legalise Cannabis, the Hunters Shooters and Fishers, and One Nation. We would like to thank all the Parliamentarians who supported the bill, and all those who took the time to meet with community members.

Tony Briffa, Co-Chair of InterAction and patron of Equality Australia commented:

“I felt a decades-long weight lift from my shoulders, knowing that what was done to me will never happen to another child in Victoria. For 25 years, I have worked to ensure that what happened to me does not happen to another child.

"Today, we celebrate meaningful progress. I am incredibly proud to see Victoria take this historic step for the next generation. I have carried the weight of decisions made about my body without my consent — choices that changed my life forever, and that could have waited until I was old enough to understand and speak for myself. It has taken years of pain and healing to reclaim who I am, unlearn the shame I and finally understand that I was always enough. Our bodily differences are a natural part of human diversity. Surgical or hormonal interventions should proceed only where there is clear medical necessity — and where that need outweighs the risk of causing lifelong harm.”

Associate Professor Morgan Carpenter, Executive Director of InterAction commented:

“It is such a powerful moment for the bill to pass with such broad support. Thank you to the members of the Legislative Council, and thank you to the Victorian government for bringing the bill before parliament in an election year. This shows that intersex issues need not be controversial, and need not imply a loss of political capital. It is time for other jurisdictions to introduce and enact the same protections.”

Community member Emiliana Soulio commented:

”What an historic day in Victoria. It’s comforting to know that children like me will have the protections they need, and their families will have greater support. Speaking to Victorian MPs about my experiences, and having my Father join to share his perspective, has been a privilege, difficult and incredibly rewarding all at the same time. Huge thanks to those who have poured their time and energy into this important work for over a decade.”

Dr Alice de Jonge, Co-Chair of InterAction commented:

"Fantastic news for future generations of babies born with variations of sex characteristics... and for their parents."

Margie McCumstie, Training and Communications Coordinator at InterAction commented:

"Today we saw history be made. More importantly, however, we saw Victoria stand up for the rights of babies and children with innate variations of sex characteristics. As advocates and activists, today we celebrate and reflect with pride on the many years of work that has led to today's result. But tomorrow, we continue our work in the remaining states and we will persevere until every baby born with an innate variation of sex characteristics in Australia is protected and their bodily integrity and personal autonomy is respected."

The Australian Capital Territory became the first jurisdiction to enact legislative protections in 2023, and Victoria is now the first State. Heather Corkhill, Legal Director at Equality Australia commented:

“Victoria has become the first state in the nation to pass landmark reforms that recognise the fundamental right of intersex people to decide what happens to their own bodies. For far too long, intersex people have lived with the lifelong consequences of medical interventions that were not medically necessary — procedures that often cause irreversible physical and psychological harm. They have faced discrimination, stigma and pathologisation, been stripped of their autonomy and denied basic human rights. These reforms introduce vital safeguards to ensure intersex children are not subjected to medical procedures that can be safely deferred, protecting their right to make deeply personal decisions about their own bodies when they are ready and able to do so.”

Sean Mulcahy of the Victorian Pride Lobby commented:

“We hope other jurisdictions will follow Victoria’s lead, adopting similar reforms to protect bodily autonomy and create consistent protections across the country. These reforms ensure that medical interventions for people with natural variations in sex characteristics are aligned with human rights standards. They give individuals the ability to make decisions about their own bodies on their own terms, at a time that is right for them."

Find out more about the bill

Links to the text of the bill and supporting documents, transcripts of debates and our joint briefing paper.

Government documents on the bill:

• The Victorian government web page on the bill, including text of the bill, amendments and other documents including a second reading speeches
• Victorian Department of Health resources: a short report on the consultation process and a brief note on the bill itself.

Read the Hansard transcript of the debates:

These are currently links to early, proof versions of debate transcripts. We will update the links when the final versions are available):

• Legislative Assembly debate (6 February 2026)
• Legislative Council debate (19 February 2026)

Equality Australia/InterAction briefing paper:

A briefing report by InterAction for Health and Human Rights and Equality Australia:

Find support and help

InterLink is a professional and peer-led psychosocial support program for people with intersex variations and their families. The InterLink website also contains resource hub for individuals and families: ilink.net.au / info@ilink.net.au and 07 3017 1724

Intersex Peer Support Australia provides life-changing support and community connections for people with innate variations of sex characteristics and our families: isupport.org.au / info@isupport.org.au and 0498 396 038

Media reports

Arcuri, D. (2026, February 19). Victorian Parliament passes intersex medical intervention reform. QNews. https://qnews.com.au/victorian-parliament-passes-intersex-m-edical-intervention-reform/

Donovan, S. (2026, February 19). Victoria bans unnecessary intersex surgeries. ABC Listen. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/pm/victoria-bans-unnecessary-intersex-surgeries-/106365514
Lenton, P. (2026, February 19). New Laws Protecting Intersex People From Unnecessary Medical Procedures Pass In Victoria. Star Observer. https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/intersex-bill-passes-victoria/240949