🚨 Information Alert: NSW Bans LGBTQA Conversion Practices
As of 4 April 2025, conversion practices aimed at changing or suppressing an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity are officially banned in New South Wales (NSW).
This historic move follows the passage of the Conversion Practices Ban Act 2024 by the NSW Parliament on 22 March 2024.
💡 What Are LGBTQA Conversion Practices?
LGBTQA conversion practices—sometimes referred to as “conversion therapy” or “gay conversion”—are harmful and discredited practices aimed at changing or suppressing someone’s sexuality or gender identity.
These may include:
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Teachings or counselling based on the belief that LGBTQA identities are wrong
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Spiritual or religious practices intended to “fix” someone
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Medical or psychological interventions without evidence-based support
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Repeated messaging that with effort or faith, someone can or should change who they are
🧠 The facts: Medical research has found no evidence that sexual orientation or gender identity can be changed. Attempts to do so are harmful and damaging.
📜 What Does the Law Say?
Under the Conversion Practices Ban Act 2024, a conversion practice is defined as:
A practice, treatment or sustained effort directed at an individual because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, with the intention of changing or suppressing that orientation or identity.
🛑 These practices are now illegal in NSW.
✅ What’s Not Considered a Conversion Practice?
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Sharing general religious teachings or views
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Internal policies within religious or community groups
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General rules in educational institutions
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Parents having conversations with their children
🆘 Have You Experienced a Conversion Practice?
From 4 April 2025, it is against the law for anyone to try to change or suppress your sexual orientation or gender identity—even if you asked for it.
📣 You can report conversion practices to Anti-Discrimination NSW if they occurred on or after 4 April 2025. If a practice began before this date but continued past it, you can still report it.
🗣 If your experience was before the law took effect, you can still share your story confidentially and receive support.
📞 Need Help or Want to Make a Report?
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Call: 1800 670 812 (Mon–Fri, 9am–4pm)
Your report may lead to:
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Supportive, trauma-informed conciliation
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Education or investigation
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Resources for healing
⚖️ Criminal Offences
Under the law, individuals who cause substantial mental or physical harm through conversion practices may face:
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Up to 5 years in prison
Taking someone out of NSW for conversion practices, or bringing someone in to deliver them, can lead to:
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Up to 3 years in prison, a fine, or both
🌍 More Information in Your Language
Easy-to-read and translated resources are available in:
Arabic, Auslan, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Greek, Korean, Vietnamese
📄 LGBTQA conversion practices ban (Easy Read PDF)
📘 Frequently Asked Questions – Conversion Practices Ban
🏳️🌈 Everyone deserves to be respected for who they are.
Let’s build a safer, more inclusive NSW—together.