In the Australian state of New South Wales, with assent by the Governor on April 3, the Conversion Practices Ban Bill 2024 became law, effective in April 2025. The new law bans treatments or efforts to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation or gender identity where the treatment or efforts cause substantial mental or physical harm or endanger an individual's life. Violations may be punished with up to 5 years in prison. The law however includes a number of specific examples of both gender-affirming treatment and religious expression that are not prohibited. It provides in part:
A conversion practice does not include— (a) a health service or treatment provided by a registered health practitioner that— (i) the registered health practitioner has assessed as clinically appropriate ... and (ii) complies with all relevant legal, professional and ethical requirements,
Examples ... [are] • genuinely assisting an individual who is exploring the individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity or considering or undergoing a gender transition • genuinely assisting an individual who is receiving care and treatment related to the individual’s gender identity • genuinely advising an individual about the potential impacts of gender affirming medical treatment.
(b) genuinely facilitating an individual’s coping skills, development or identity exploration to meet the individual’s needs, including by providing acceptance, support or understanding to the individual, or
(c) the following expressions if the expression is not part of a practice, treatment or sustained effort, directed to changing or suppressing an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity— (i) an expression, including in prayer, of a belief or principle, including a religious belief or principle, (ii) an expression that a belief or principle ought to be followed or applied.
(4) To avoid doubt, the following are examples of what does not constitute a conversion practice under this section— (a) stating what relevant religious teachings are or what a religion says about a specific topic, (b) general requirements in relation to religious orders or membership or leadership of a religious community, (c) general rules in educational institutions, (d) parents discussing matters relating to sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual activity or religion with their children.
The law also sets out an elaborate civil complaint structure. Unlike most statutes passed by U.S. jurisdictions, the Australian law appears to apply to adults as well as to minors. Law & Religion Australia reports on the new law.
