Overview

Recent reforms in Western Australia have introduced a new process for individuals to update the sex or gender recorded on their birth registration.

These changes have important implications for psychologists, particularly those working in gender-affirming care and related areas of practice.

This on-demand activity will provide an overview of the reforms, delivered by representatives from the WA Department of Justice, to help psychologists understand the legislative changes and the practical steps involved in the new process. Department of Health clinical psychologists Olivia Eadon and Georgia Williams, both specialists in gender-affirming care, will share insights from their clinical experience, discuss considerations for supporting clients through this process, and address common questions and challenges, and explore how these reforms may impact psychological practice in WA.

Level of Learning

Foundational. This activity is targeted to those new to the topic. 

Target audience

This activity is suitable for psychologists, social workers, general practitioners, nurses, occupational therapists, and other allied health professionals.

Duration of access

Access to the recording and presenter slides is for 12 months from the date of confirmed registration.

APS CPD-Approved

This activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality. Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process.

CPD Frequently Asked Questions

Refer to the APS CPD Frequently Asked Questions for general and technical information when undertaking APS Professional development activities.

Activity details

On-demand webinar recording

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this on-demand activity, participants should be able to:

• explain the new process for adults and children to update their sex or gender in their birth registration in Western Australia, 

• describe the roles and responsibilities of doctors and psychologists within the updated process, 

• define what constitutes appropriate clinical treatment for individuals seeking to update their sex or gender through the WA Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and

• identify the required information for an appropriate clinical treatment statement submitted to the Registry.

Presenter(s)

Tatijana Vukic, Alison Jackson, Olivia Eadon & Georgia Williams.

About the presenter(s)

Tatijana Vukic led the team within the Department of Justice responsible for coordinating the implementation of the reforms to sex or gender recognition across government. As part of this, the Department undertook extensive consultation with LGBTIQA+ advocacy groups and professional medical bodies to develop fit-for-purpose guidance material for applicants, doctors and psychologists on the reforms.
Alison Jackson worked in collaboration with the Department’s Legislative Services team throughout the passage of the legislation, as the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Alison is now responsible for managing the new administrative process for amending a person’s sex or gender in their birth registration or issuing an acknowledgement document to people born overseas.
Olivia Eadon (she/her) is a clinical psychologist at YouthLink with experience supporting young people experiencing complex mental health challenges and barriers to accessing mainstream services. She additionally works in private practice with an interest in trauma and eating disorders. She has experience working with folks from the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly supporting young trans and gender diverse individuals with their mental health. She is a member of the NMHS Youth Mental Health Queer portfolio and is currently undertaking research on the prevalence of LGBTQIA+ young people consuming mental health services to assist in service improvement, inclusion, and resource development.
Georgia Williams (they/them) is a clinical psychologist at the RPH Adult Gender Diversity Service and the Gender Pathways Service. They also work in private practice, with a focus on supporting trans/ gender diverse and neurodivergent adolescents and adults. Georgia has a particular interest in working with trans and gender diverse adolescents and adults, which is in part informed by their lived experience as a genderqueer/ nonbinary person. Their Masters thesis explored non-binary people’s experiences with psychologists, and was presented at the AusPATH (Australian Professional Association of Trans Health) conference in 2022. They also worked on a submission to the WA Mental Health Commission’s review of the Mental Health Act, regarding TGD people’s experiences of treatment under the mental health act in WA. Georgia has presented training and lectures on supporting trans and gender diverse clients to several private psychology practices and clinical psychology Masters’ students.