We want our University community to reflect and celebrate gender in all its diversity and fluidity; where every person feels they can be their authentic self. We aim to promote a positive experience for students who are affirming their gender and provide resources and support to navigate the gender affirmation process. It’s up to all of us to create an inclusive environment for students.
The Guidance for staff: Supporting students affirming their gender (PDF 275KB) has been developed to:
The University of Sydney is committed to working with trans and gender diverse students, their lecturers and peers to ensure everyone is supported throughout all stages of the process. We promote an environment where staff and students work and study alongside one another in a productive and harmonious environment free from discrimination, bullying and harassment.
The guidance for students affirming their gender was developed collaboratively by Student Administration Services and the University’s Diversity and Inclusion Team, in consultation with the Pride Network Steering Committee, trans and gender diverse staff and students, external peak bodies, and other internal stakeholders. It reflects requirements in government legislation and key University polices such as the Staff and Affiliates Code of Conduct, Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Prevention Policy and Student Charter.
We acknowledge that the LGBTQIA+ community is richly diverse and language is continually evolving. The terminology below is provided as a guide to assist you in understanding our trans and gender diverse students. It may not encapsulate all identities and therefore you are encouraged to seek further knowledge from our sources – Transhub and the Bureau of Statistics’ Standard for Sex, Gender, Variations of Sex Characteristics and Sexual Orientation Variables.
Gender affirmation is an umbrella term which encompasses range of actions someone may undertake in order to live, survive and thrive as their authentic gendered selves. Gender transition (which is often used interchangeably with gender affirmation) is a part of gender affirmation which may include Social, Medical and Legal changes made by a person to affirm their gender. This is not a linear process and different people undertake different processes in order to affirm their gender.
For more information on what gender affirmation is and different types of gender affirmation (Social, Medical and Legal) please consult Transhub.
‘Non-binary’ and ‘gender diverse’ are umbrella terms for any number of gender identities that sit outside of the Man/Woman binary. A non-binary person may identify as somewhere between a man and a woman, outside of the spectrum of man/woman gender or no gender at all (agender). A person may simply identify as non-binary. Non-binary gender identities may include:
…and many more. Many cultures across the world have a rich history of gender-diverse cultures.
Many non-binary people use gender neutral pronouns, however it is important to ask someone their pronouns before assuming which to use. Learn more on TransHub.
Gender is a term used to describe someone's innermost concept of self – how individuals perceive themselves. This may be different to sex recorded at birth and may be different to what is indicated on legal documents. A person may or may not present to society in a way that indicates their gender. For example, a non-binary person may not present androgynously.
Gender is a part of a person’s personal and social identity and refers to how a person feels and not what sex characteristics they are born with.
Sex and gender are not interchangeable. Male, female and intersex (umbrella term) are all types of sex and refer to physical parts of the body that are related to body development/regulation and reproductive systems.
Primary sex characteristics are gonads, chromosomes, genitals and hormones. Secondary sex characteristics emerge at puberty and can include the development of breast tissue, voice pitch, facial and pubic hair etc. The term ‘sex characteristics’ is more accurate than ‘biological sex’.
Trans and gender diverse (TGD) folk will often use the terms AFAB (assigned female at birth) and AMAB (assigned male at birth) when discussions of sex are essential.
Intersex and trans are not interchangeable terms, however some intersex people may also identify as trans or gender diverse. Not all individuals who are intersex identify as LGBTQIA+. Intersex people are born with naturally occurring and very normal differences of chromosomes, gonads (ovaries and testes), hormones, and/or genitals. There are more than 40 different ways to be intersex. Some people never find out that they are intersex and many find out during significant life stages such as at birth, throughout puberty, when trying to conceive a pregnancy or during health or medical screenings. You can find information on the Intersex Human Rights Australia website, or you can contact the Pride Network.
ACON’s TransHub defines trans and gender diverse as "inclusive umbrella terms that describe people whose gender is different to what was presumed for them at birth".
TransHub also notes that, "Trans people may position ‘being trans’ as a history or experience, rather than an identity, and consider their gender identity as simply being female, male or a non-binary. Some trans people connect strongly with their trans experience, whereas others do not. Processes of gender affirmation may or may not be part of a trans or gender diverse person's life".
Being transgender doesn’t necessarily mean that you are uncomfortable within your own body, but people can sometimes experience this. People may also experience severe discomfort when not perceived as their affirmed gender. An individual's affirmed gender is the gender that matches their gender identity. For example, if a person is presumed female at birth and identifies as male, their affirmed gender is male. Transgender individuals will feel more comfortable, confident or able to be their true selves when they are able to express themselves as their affirmed gender.
Gender affirmation is the process an individual goes through when they to begin to live as their authentic gender, rather than that presumed at birth. This process can include all or any combination of social, medical and legal affirmation.
For more information and resources around the gender affirmation process, we suggest visiting Transhub's website. If a student approaches you about gender affirmation, please direct them to Gender affirmation at Sydney student resources.
All students have the right to discuss their gender identity or expression openly, or to keep that information private. It is important that the student gets to decide when, with whom, and how much to share their private information. However, if students affirming their gender can safely engage with their student peers, it may help create a smooth affirmation process.
University staff should not disclose information that may reveal a student’s transgender status or gender non-conforming presentation to others without the consent of the student. Even then, this information should only be shared if necessary.
Students can access a range of services, resources and events. Students can connect with Student Life themselves, or request University staff to refer on their behalf. Student Life and Student Wellbeing services are confidential and free.
Learn more in the Service Portal article If I access support through Student Wellbeing, how is my information managed?
When a student expresses that they are transgender, or would like to affirm their gender you should:
You should also seek input from the student by:
There are a number of resources available to help you support trans and gender diverse students and colleagues by developing more inclusive behaviours.
The University offers Sexual, Gender Diversity and Ally training to all staff and students to build your awareness and understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community, facilitating your support of their needs. After completing this training, you will be able register as an Ally with the Pride Network.
The University of Sydney is committed to creating a safe environment for all our people, including individuals who are transgender and non-binary.
Any incident of discrimination, harassment or bullying based on gender identity or expression will be dealt with in accordance with the Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Prevention Policy (2015).
Action taken by the organisation may include, but is not limited to, investigating the incident, taking reasonable corrective action, and providing employees and staff with appropriate counselling and resources. Breaches, such as discrimination, bullying and harassment, may be regarded as serious misconduct and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.
If you are aware that a student is experiencing issues, please report it to the Safer Communities Office and refer the student to available support services.
The University recently updated its systems and guidance for students affirming their gender. As a member of staff you may be asked by a student for support, but even if you are not directly supporting a student affirming their gender, it is important that you understand the what gender affirmation means, the guidance students have been given, and seek to foster an inclusive classroom and campus environment.
A student should be addressed by their chosen/preferred name and pronouns (i.e. he/him/his, she/her, they/them) that correspond to their gender. A legal name or gender change is not required. If you are working with a student who is affirming their gender, and you are unsure what name and pronouns they would like to go by, politely ask them for guidance.
Some students affirming their gender will prefer to use gender-neutral pronouns or may request to have their first name used instead of a pronoun. If a person’s pronouns are they, them, theirs and themselves you would say: ‘They are speaking. I listened to them. The book is theirs.’ Read further information and resources about pronouns.
Students can update their preferred/chosen name, gender and pronouns in Sydney Student any time without documentation by going to ‘My Details’ then ‘Personal Details’. Updated details will flow through to class lists as well as RECS and Sydney Timetable.
Students can also update their pronouns in Canvas at any time without supporting documentation by going to ‘Global Navigation’, ‘Account’, select ‘Settings’, then ‘Edit Settings’. However, to change name and gender displayed in Canvas, students will need to update them first in Sydney Student.
Please report any instances where chosen/preferred names are not available (other than where bound by law) to [email protected].
If a student has changed their legal name, they can update in Sydney Student by making a request with supporting documentation.
Students can change their legal name in NSW by visiting the Births, Deaths and Marriages website.
If the student has changed their legal name in Sydney Student their email ‘displayed name’ will automatically update.
If the student has not changed their legal name, they can contact IT Support to request that their email ‘displayed name’ is changed to their preferred or chosen name.
If the student has changed their legal name in Sydney Student, they can apply for a replacement student card by submitting an online form.
If the student has not changed their legal name and the name on their student card does not match their affirmed gender, they can request a secondary student card if they are required to wear a card as identification during a placement. The secondary card will display their preferred or chosen name.
They will need permission from their placement supervisor to wear their secondary card. The student’s primary card will still be used for other purposes such as identification at exams, travel concessions and building entry.
Secondary cards can be requested from and issued by the Student Centre without supporting documents.
Because of restrictions under the Australian and State Government, students in NSW are currently required to change their legal name (name assigned to their birth certificate) for an adjustment to be made to their Testamur and all accredited courses.
If the student has changed their legal name and updated in Sydney Student (with supporting documentation), a new certificate of current enrolment, completion letter, academic transcript, testamur and certificate of graduate status can be issued with the updated name.
Students have access to changing-rooms and toilet facilities corresponding to their gender, including all gender bathrooms that are available across campus.
To find the closest all gender bathroom, visit Campus Maps, select ‘Amenities’, then ‘Toilet/Shower All Gender’ or ‘Toilet – All Gender’.
Some all gender bathrooms are also accessible. To find the closest all gender accessible bathroom, click on ‘Accessibility’ then ‘Toilet – All Gender Accessible’.
For further information contact Campus Assist by calling the service desk on +612 9351 2000 or emailing [email protected].
Students affirming their gender may require additional time to complete assessments and should be advised that they will need to follow University guidelines and procedures if they wish to seek a special consideration or a special arrangement for an assessment task.
Students can apply to change their study load, suspend their studies, or to apply for special consideration and arrangements.
When completing a statement for special consideration, students can state that their condition or circumstances are confidential in nature.
Professional practitioners can select 'the student is suffering from an illness of a confidential nature' on the Professional Practitioner Certificate (PPC).
Students who are receiving support from an LGBTQIA+ organisation or counselling may ask them for a written statement confirming this support. They may be able to apply based on medical grounds or based on hardship or trauma related to their social affirmation.
If they are receiving hormone treatment, they should have their doctor complete a PPC, so they can apply on medical grounds related to their transition, or based on hardship or trauma related to the impact of their affirmation on their study performance.
If students are going through a medical affirmation that includes surgery, they should ask their doctor to complete a PPC and apply on medical grounds related to this surgery.
The PPC should outline an affected time period. When the PPC contains ‘ongoing’ in the time period the application may not be able to be processed. If the application cannot be processed the student can apply again.
Students affirming their gender may in some cases experience financial distress due to, for example but not limited to, medical costs or loss of financial support from family. Students undergoing Gender Affirmation Surgery can apply for financial support and receive up to $3000 per semester to cover medical expenses. A domestic student enrolled in a full-time mode who applies for general bursary assistance is eligible for a maximum of $3000 per semester. A domestic student enrolled in a part-time mode who applies for general bursary assistance is eligible for a maximum of $1500 per semester. An enrolled international student with extenuating circumstances can be considered for maximum of $2000 per semester.
Students can ask any questions about general bursaries or submit an application via a financial support enquiry.
As well as the need for emotional support, there are system considerations, such as changing an email account name or the name, gender and pronouns on student systems.
Having a Gender Affirmation Student Support Plan can assist the conversation between a student and teaching staff to identify the aspects with which a student would like assistance or advice.
The faculty or school's LGBTIQ Student Support Liaison Officer (SSLO) can act as a liaison for students affirming their gender who would otherwise have to disclose this deeply personal issue with unknown academics.
Services offered by the SSLO include:
This service can also support international students who may not be able to be open with their sexuality or gender identity in their home country.
An ally is anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender or sex characteristics, who supports LGBTQIA+ inclusion. All Allies have completed the LGBTQIA+ Awareness and Ally Training offered at the University and are a point of contact for more information or support. Find the list of Allies on the Pride Network website.
The Pride Network is made up of staff and students who support and advocate on behalf of everyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+. Contact the Pride Network for a confidential conversation, support or advice, or to join the network.
Student Health and Wellbeing provide professional and confidential psychological and mental health services, which are free and available to all students.
The University Health and Safety team offers a range of resources, supports and services to staff with an aim to support health, prevent harm, and promote thriving. Visit the Wellbeing page for more information.
Our Diversity and Inclusion team can be contacted for a confidential conversation at any time. Email [email protected].
Undergraduate students can make a free appointment with an SRC Caseworker who can provide confidential assistance and support with student welfare issues, as well as free legal advice and representation. Find out more on the SRC website.
Postgraduate students can access free, confidential and independent advice from the Postgraduate Advocacy Service. Find out more on the SUPRA website.
TransHub is ACON’s digital information and resource platform for all trans and gender diverse people in NSW, as well as their loved ones, allies, and health providers.
The Gender Centre is a non-governmental organisation that provides a broad range of support to trans and gender diverse people, including providing networking and social support, specialised doctors, housing, and referral to other services.
Minus18 is a youth-oriented non-governmental organisation offering a range of training, support and online resources for LGBTQIA+ people.
Twenty10 works with LGBTQIA+ people across Sydney and NSW to provide support, as well as to their families and communities.
QLife provides anonymous and free peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.