The Queensland government has launched an independent review of puberty blockers and hormone therapies for minors following reports that the Cairns Sexual Health Service prescribed these treatments to a 12-year-old without proper medical support and parental consent.

Concerns have been raised regarding the Cairns clinic, which reportedly provided unauthorized pediatric gender services to 42 clients, with 17 receiving hormone therapy, highlighting issues with credentialing and patient consent.

An internal review revealed deficiencies in clinical practices at the clinic, including delayed medical tests and inadequate documentation of multidisciplinary discussions.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls announced the review on January 28, 2025, which led to an immediate pause on new patients under 18 from accessing pediatric gender therapies in the public system.

The Director-General of Queensland Health will issue directives to ensure that while existing patients can continue their treatment plans, new patients under 18 will not receive hormone therapy during the review.

Currently, nearly 600 children already on treatment plans can continue to receive services while the review is conducted.

Children with gender dysphoria who cannot start hormone therapy will still have access to psychiatric and psychological support during this period.

An investigation into the health services provided by the Cairns clinic is underway, with a report expected by the end of June 2025.

This review is part of a broader statewide investigation into regulations surrounding medical gender-affirming care for minors in Queensland, assessing governance and care processes across the state.

The decision to review and pause treatments aligns with trends seen in other countries, such as France and Sweden, which have tightened regulations on hormone therapy for children.

Critics, including Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown, argue that the pause on hormone treatments could negatively impact the health of young trans individuals and contradicts established medical evidence.

An independent review conducted in 2024 found that while Queensland children were not being rushed into receiving puberty blockers, significant wait times for care were noted, reaching up to 577 days based on urgency.