Where it is proposed that a person under the age of 18 undergo a procedure which is not for medical purposes, the permission of the Family Court of Australia or Family Court of Western Australia is sometimes required and the consent of a parent or guardian is not sufficient.
Examples of such procedures include:
- Treatment for gender reassignment in cases of gender dysmorphia;
- Hysterectomy for a child for non-medical purposes (typically where the child is mentally disabled); and
- Circumstances where a child wants to donate tissue (such as bone marrow).
For a recent example see Re Jodie [2013] FamCA 62 (link below), in which the Family Court of Australia considered its power in a case of gender identity disorder.
