News
Information, Linkages and Capacity Building for People with Disability
Invitations are open for organisations to submit a tender for an important project focused on supporting LGBTIQ+ individuals with disability. This initiative aims to address the unique needs and challenges faced by this intersectional community and to promote inclusivity, accessibility, and empowerment.
Media Release: Time to Deliver - Election Commitments Needed for LGBTIQ+ Health and Wellbeing
Ahead of the 3 May federal election, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) has launched its policy priorities for the 2025 federal election, calling for concrete commitments and actions to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ people.
2025 Federal Election - Priorities
The 2025 Australian federal election will be held on Saturday 3 May to elect members of the 48th Parliament of Australia. All seats of the House of Representatives and 40 of the 76 seats in the Senate will be contested.
During the election campaign, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) seeks commitment from candidates across the political spectrum to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for LGBTIQ+ people.
Webinar: Speaking Out @ Work - LGBTQ young people's experience of sexual harassment at work
On Thursday, April 03, 2025, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia hosted a Policy and Research seminar featuring Professor Kerry Robinson and Dr Cristyn Davis who shared findings from the ANROWS #SpeakingOut@Work research.
Media Release: LGBTIQ+ Health Australia welcomes Budget investment in LGBTIQ+ health and broader healthcare reforms
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) welcomes the Albanese Government’s commitment to quality, accessible and affordable healthcare in the 2025-2026 budget, including continued funding for QLife, with $0.4 million allocated for 2025–26.
Webinar: See yourself in data - Estimates and characteristics of LGBTI+ populations in Australia
On Thursday 20 March 2025, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia hosted a Policy and Research seminar where the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) presented their latest analysis on LGBTI+ populations.
Policy Submission: Inspector General of Aged Care on Royal Commission recommendation implementation
Input to the Office of the Inspector General on Aged Care’s 2025 Progress Report on Implementation of Aged Care Royal Commission Recommendations is an important opportunity to examine how well LGBTI older people have been served by the reforms following the Royal Commission into Aged Care.
Policy Submission: National Plan to End the Abuse and Mistreatment of Older People
The National Plan to End the Abuse and Mistreatment of Older People provides an important opportunity to comprehensively address the abuse and mistreatment of older people, with the ultimate aim of its elimination.
Policy Submission: Measuring Outcomes for First Nations Communities
The consultation by the Senate Select Committee on Measuring Outcomes for First Nations Communities aims to address gaps in the Closing the Gap framework and ensure more accurate, inclusive, and culturally appropriate data collection and policy development for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It seeks input on how national measurement frameworks can better reflect the lived experiences, challenges, and strengths of First Nations communities, including LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy (LGBTIQ+SB) people.
Policy Submission: MSAC Application 1754
The consultation on MSAC Application 1754 considers the inclusion of gender-affirming surgeries for adults with gender incongruence in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). It seeks input on the clinical necessity, accessibility, and financial impact of publicly funding these procedures to improve health equity for trans and gender-diverse people.
Policy Submission: Families and Children Activity Review
The consultation on the Families and Children Activity review examines how children, youth, and parenting programs can be more inclusive and responsive to diverse family structures, particularly for LGBTIQ+ parents and carers. It seeks input on barriers to accessing support services and potential policy and funding changes to ensure equitable, culturally safe, and effective programs.
Webinar: Tipping the balance: LGBTIQ+ teens’ experiences negotiating connection, self-expression and online harm.
On Wednesday 12 February 2025, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia hosted a Policy and Research seminar exploring findings from eSafety’s research into the digital lives of young LGBTIQ+ people.
Access to gender-affirming care for young people in Australia – February 2025
Recent announcements at both the state and federal levels have raised questions about access to gender-affirming care for young people in Australia. This resource outlines what these changes mean and what to expect moving forward.
Webinar: Research on gender dysphoria and priorities for Australia
On Wednesday 4 February 2025, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia hosted Policy and Research Seminar “Where are we now? Research on gender dysphoria and priorities for Australia”
Joint Statement: LGBTIQ+ community groups and health experts cautiously welcome treatment review for trans and gender diverse young people
Medical experts, health bodies and LGBTIQ+ groups have cautiously welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement it will review the treatment guidelines for trans and gender diverse young people.
But they said the process must be led by the experts, remain free of political interference and not block continued care across the country.
Qld decision on gender-affirming care puts lives at risk, research shows
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) calls for the Queensland Government to immediately reverse its decision to stop the provision of medical gender-affirming care for trans and gender diverse young people.
Policy Submission: PHN Business Model Review and Mental Health Flexible Funding Stream Review
The Department of Health and Aged Care recently held a consultation as part of its review of the Primary Health Network (PHN) Business Model and Mental Health Flexible Funding Stream. The consultation aimed to explore opportunities, in collaboration with stakeholders, to improve equity, access, and outcomes in primary healthcare across Australia.
Call for Input: Draft National Plan to End the Abuse and Mistreatment of Older People
The Australian Government has released the Draft National Plan to End the Abuse and Mistreatment of Older People. LHA is seeking input from LGBTI older people, (chosen) family, friends, supporters and aged workers about their experiences and views of elder abuse.
Policy Submission: Automated Decision-Making Reform
The Australian Government is exploring legislative reform to establish a consistent framework for the use of automated decision-making (ADM) across government services. This consultation aims to ensure ADM systems are transparent, fair, and adhere to principles of administrative law. It also seeks to address recommendations from the Robodebt Royal Commission, including safeguards for ADM implementation and accountability mechanisms.
Policy Submission: Modernising My Health Record—Sharing by Default
Health Legislation Amendment (Modernising My Health Record—Sharing by Default) Bill 2024 [Provisions]
The Australian Government is proposing legislative changes through the Health Legislation Amendment (Modernising My Health Record – Sharing by Default) Bill 2024.
Policy Submission: Inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia
The Australian House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport recently held an inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia. The consultation aimed to assess the effectiveness of policies, treatment services, and prevention strategies in reducing alcohol and other drug-related health harms.
Expressions of Interest: Silver Pride Advocacy Network - Living Experience Advisory Panel
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) is seeking expressions of interest from LGBTI older people to participate on LHA’s Silver Pride Advocacy Network, Living Experience Advocacy Panel (LEAP).
Share your story to improve access to gender-affirming care
Support MSAC Application 1754
The Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) advises the federal government on public funding for health services. It has received an application to fund gender affirming care for trans and gender-diverse people.
By sharing your story, you can help improve access to life-saving gender-affirming care. This material is designed to assist you in making a submission, to help make this change happen.
Policy Submission: Residential Care Service List
LHA has provided a submission to the Department of Health’s consultation on The Residential Care Service List. This list is an important framework for service providers and potential residents to understand what services residents may be able to receive at no extra charge when in a residential aged care service.
Policy Submission: National Lung Cancer Screening Program Guidelines Public Consultation
The Department of Health and Aged Care invited feedback on draft guidelines for a National Lung Cancer Screening Program, which aims to improve early detection and health outcomes for populations disproportionately impacted by lung cancer. The guidelines include a focus on priority populations, including LGBTIQA+ people, to ensure equitable access and culturally safe care.
Policy Submission: Design Changes For Star Ratings
Star Ratings help enable older people and their supporters make more informed choices about the quality of available care options. However, LHA’s submission highlights that LGBTI older people may not see specific benefits from this system. It does not provide information on how their distinctive concerns may be addressed, such as being fully accepted and not facing discrimination.
Experimental LGBTI Population Estimates a Step Forward Ahead of 2026 Census
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today released experimental estimates on LGBTI+ populations in Australia, derived from four recent population-based surveys.
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia welcomes launch and financial investment in the first 10-Year National Action Plan for LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA), the national peak body for LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing, congratulates the Government on the launch of Australia’s first 10-Year National Action Plan for the Health and Wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ People (Action Plan), and the significant investment of $15.5 million.
Submission on Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) has responded to the proposed ban on social media use for people under 16, highlighting the significant impact this could have on young LGBTIQ+ people.
Submission on the draft Advice on the National Suicide Prevention Strategy
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) has provided a detailed submission in response to the draft Advice on the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.