HRT in Australia

[JustAnotherTrans]

I've been looking into finding a Gender counsellor near my area, but haven't been able to except for one in Sydney, which is around a 5 hour drive, so it's not really possible, but might be able to on the Holidays once.

So I'm wondering, if I do find one, what's the age you have to be to get a prescription for Testosterone? I'm 15 and don't want to wait another 3 years to get it, so it's been driving my dysphoria crazy 
And if you can get the prescription before your 18, how long do you have to go through the counselling?

[harlee]

Im guessing that you live in NSW? I tried to find some gender therapists for you but I had no luck. There are heaps in QLD though! I am 16 and I have been seeing a couple of different doctors and therapists for almost 2 years now. I was told that if I was going to take testosterone at the age I am, I would need my parents permission, the therapists permission, the endocrinologists permission, and I would also need to go to court. It seems pretty crazy  Anyway, my parents wont let me start testosterone.. so I need to wait it out until I turn 18 Hopefully you have a more supportive family! If they wont let you start, you wont get anywhere sadly.

[MaxAloysius]

Don't quote me on this, but I'm pretty sure that here in Australia you're old enough to make your own medical decisions (without parental consent) when you turn 16. Doctors do have the right to refuse to suply you with testosterone until you're a certain age though (many will site 18). As to specialists, to get onto T you don't really need to see a specialist, (I didn't) you just need to find a GP who is comfortable with writing you a prescription, and for that you'll probably need a therapist of some sort who is comfortable with writing your gp a letter of recommendation. How long it takes to get that letter is up to the person you work with.

[Kreuzfidel]

Don't quote me on this, but I'm pretty sure that here in Australia you're old enough to make your own medical decisions (without parental consent) when you turn 16. Doctors do have the right to refuse to suply you with testosterone until you're a certain age though (many will site 18). As to specialists, to get onto T you don't really need to see a specialist, (I didn't) you just need to find a GP who is comfortable with writing you a prescription, and for that you'll probably need a therapist of some sort who is comfortable with writing your gp a letter of recommendation. How long it takes to get that letter is up to the person you work with.

I live in SA and plan on hopefully getting my script directly from my GP based on informed consent vs. a letter from a psych.

[Morgan.]

Where abouts in NSW are you from? If you visit http://www.ftmaustralia.org/publications/health-and-service-providers-listing-hsp, they have a regularly updated list of Heath/Service Providers in Australia who are all transfriendly/experienced in meeting the needs of the Australian trans community - it includes GPs, endos, psychologists, etc. for the majority of areas in Australia.

The list is free to anyone who requests it - just read through the page and at the end there will be an email address you can contact. Just explain that you are looking for a counsellor near your area and you'd like a copy of the list to look at.

They usually reply quite quickly. I messaged them in the morning and had an email back with the list by the early afternoon. 

Hope this helps.

[Astr0]

Im guessing that you live in NSW? I tried to find some gender therapists for you but I had no luck. There are heaps in QLD though! I am 16 and I have been seeing a couple of different doctors and therapists for almost 2 years now. I was told that if I was going to take testosterone at the age I am, I would need my parents permission, the therapists permission, the endocrinologists permission, and I would also need to go to court. It seems pretty crazy  Anyway, my parents wont let me start testosterone.. so I need to wait it out until I turn 18 Hopefully you have a more supportive family! If they wont let you start, you wont get anywhere sadly.

Hey I'm new on here and I'm wondering do you live in/near brisbane? I'm looking for doctors and therapists and I'm wondering if you have any recommendations? Thanks!

[vik2ray]

 @ astr0.

well the endo that i have to see os in brisbane but apparently theres a gender clinic in brisbane somewhere. ask a dr to see if they can refer you. my phycologist is great. appaeently all you need is a referal to a phyciatrist to confirm your gid. then you get a referal to an endo. thats whati was told. i live bout 6 hours from brisbane so i will try n find out more for you if you want.