Change Or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021

In this Act, a change or suppression practice means a practice or conduct directed towards a person, whether with or without the person's consent—

on the basis of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity; and

for the purpose of—

changing or suppressing the sexual orientation or gender identity of the person; or

inducing the person to change or suppress their sexual orientation or gender identity.

For the purposes of subsection (1), a practice or conduct is not a change or suppression practice if it—

is supportive of or affirms a person's gender identity or sexual orientation including, but not limited to, a practice or conduct for the purposes of—

assisting a person who is undergoing a gender transition; or

assisting a person who is considering undergoing a gender transition; or

assisting a person to express their gender identity; or

providing acceptance, support or understanding of a person; or

facilitating a person's coping skills, social support or identity exploration and development; or

is a practice or conduct of a health service provider that is, in the health service provider's reasonable professional judgement, necessary—

to provide a health service; or

to comply with the legal or professional obligations of the health service provider.

For the purposes of subsection (1), a practice includes, but is not limited to the following—

providing a psychiatry or psychotherapy consultation, treatment or therapy, or any other similar consultation, treatment or therapy;

carrying out a religious practice, including but not limited to, a prayer based practice, a deliverance practice or an exorcism;

giving a person a referral for the purposes of a change or suppression practice being directed towards the person.

For the purposes of subsection (1), a practice or conduct may be directed towards a person remotely (including online) or in person.