Australia's peak medical body will review the health care provided to transgender and gender-diverse children as the federal government attempts to stall the banning of puberty blockers in some parts of the country.
The review led by the National Health and Medical Research Council will examine aspects of children's gender-affirming care including the use of puberty blockers, Health Minister Mark Butler announced on Friday.
"It is imperative there is community confidence that Australian children, adolescents and their families are receiving the most appropriate care," he said.
Mr Butler said he has tasked the council with developing new guidelines for trans healthcare, in an area the council has described as "contested and evolving".
Guidelines on the use of puberty blockers will be completed by mid-2026, with other advice not yet given a completion date.
The announcement comes two days after the Queensland government immediately paused any new patients under 18 accessing gender-affirming care including puberty blockers and hormone therapies while a probe into the services is carried out.
The move came after reports that gender-affirming hormones had been given to minors as young as 12 years of age without authorised care in the state's far north.
Mr Butler said he has asked new LNP health minister Tim Nicholls to abide by national standards.
"I've indicated to Minister Nicholls that I don't think it would be appropriate for Queensland to continue with their stated intention to undertake an evidence review in this area of care," he said.
"These issues should be nationally consistent."
The issue has come under global scrutiny with the UK's controversial Cass review ultimately leading to the National Health Service restricting the use of puberty blockers in children.
In the United States, President Donald Trump has also vowed to end federal funding for gender-affirming care for children.
Mr Butler said he has been cautiously watching the issue unfold internationally.
"I've given deep consideration to this area over the course of summer, given movements overseas," he said.
He said the review would be evidence based and he was "not interested in playing politics with the issue".
"Not all of the (commentary) is particularly constructive, and some of it, frankly, is quite damaging to the mental health of young people and families," he said.
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