Conversion practice refers to any practice, treatment, or sustained effort (occurring more than once) to change or supress a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation.

Conversion practices can take various forms and result in mental or physical harm.

For the purposes of this Act, it is irrelevant whether the conversion practice was delivered to an individual based on an incorrect assumption or belief regarding their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Health services or treatments provided by a registered health practitioner, who acts in a clinically appropriate way, exercises reasonable and professional judgement, and complies with all relevant legal, professional, and ethical requirements, such as:

• Genuinely assisting an individual who is exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity or considering or undergoing a gender transition.
• Genuinely assisting an individual who is receiving care and treatment related to their gender identity.

• Genuinely advising an individual about the potential impacts of gender affirming medical treatment.

• Genuinely facilitating an individual's coping skills, development or identity exploration to meet their needs, including providing acceptance, support or understanding to the individual.

The use of the following expressions (on their own) by a group or individuals, such as:

• Expression, including in prayer, of a belief or principle, including a religious belief or principle.
• Expressions that a belief or principle ought to be followed or applied.

Other examples which do not amount to conversion practices include:

• Statements about religious teachings or what a religion says about a specific topic.
• General requirements in relation to religious orders, membership or leadership of a religious community.
• General rules in educational institutions.
• Parents discussing, or providing guidance, on matters relating to sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual activity or religion with their children.

If the conversion practice you have experienced is consistent with the definition of conversion practice defined above, you can make a complaint to Equal Opportunity SA.

For more information about the complaint process and how to make a complaint, go to our page on Making a Complaint.

If you are unsure, or have any questions, you can call us on (08) 7322 7070 or email equal@sa.gov.au (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site).

All calls and emails to Equal Opportunity SA are confidential.

Important information about health practitioners:

The Commissioner is unable to deal with complaints relating to a registered health practitioner who engages in conversion practices whilst acting in the course of their profession. The Commissioner must refer such complaints to the relevant health complaint entity, being the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and associated board for the relevant profession.

If you decide to make a complaint, we will need your contact details so that we can communicate with you by telephone and email.

Your personal contact information will remain confidential.

It will not be disclosed to the person or organisation you complain about.

You do not need to provide us with your residential address, unless the alleged conversion practice happened in your home.

As part of the complaint process, the Commissioner will need to be satisfied that you were subjected to conversion practices. This means that you will need to provide information about your experience as it relates to your complaint, and you may need to answer questions to assist the Commissioner to understand the matter.

Any information provided to Equal Opportunity SA will be treated confidentially.