Project 491

Project 491 is an initiative led by AusPATH in response to the Queensland Government’s unacceptable restrictions on gender affirming care (GAC) for trans and gender diverse (TGD) children.

This includes stopping access to both stage one (puberty blockers) and stage two (hormone therapy) treatments for patients under 18 in QLD public health system. This decision has left at least 491 children stranded without access to care.  

Despite the Federal Health Minister’s request for Queensland to lift their indiscriminate stopage, along with a commitment for the NHMRC to review the Standards of Care, the Queensland Government has refused to lift these restrictions. The Queensland stoppage is contrary to the current best evidence-based guidelines, and represents political interference in healthcare. The troubling politicisation of essential healthcare for TGD young people in Queensland is demonstrated at the 2024 Liberal National Party (LNP) conference in Rockhampton, where a motion was passed to ban puberty blockers.

The impact of these restrictions is significant. While private healthcare providers continue to offer care, the public system is no longer providing access to treatment, which disproportionately affecting lower-income families and those young people with more complex health needs. Given the 48.1% suicide attempt rate among TGD youth, the lack of access to care has serious health implications.

AusPATH will use funds raised, in collaboration with care providers in Queensland and across Australia, to establish multi-disciplinary pathways to ensure affected young people receive timely, evidence-based care.

The Project 491 Application Form is now available

Thanks to the extraordinary response to Project 491, and because of the incredible advocacy and support from the community, AusPATH is now able to begin processing applications for hardship funding.

If you are a family in Queensland affected by the stoppage of access to public gender affirming care for young people under 18, you may be eligible for support through Project 491. This fund has been created to help cover the costs of puberty blockers and gender affirming hormone therapy through the private system for those experiencing financial hardship.

You’ll find the application form for the hardship fund available to download below. Please read the instructions carefully. Applications must be submitted with support from a treating doctor, confirming both the need for care and your financial hardship.

We know it’s been a long wait. We’re grateful for your patience and are so pleased to now be able to get these much-needed funds to Queensland families and young people.

With care,

Eloise Brook
CEO, AusPATH