Resolved complaint (186) about gender identity and disability discrimination in education
Learn how a complaint (186) about gender identity and disability discrimination in education was resolved through conciliation.
Summary
- Year: 2025
- Relevant Act: Disability Discrimination Act; Sex Discrimination Act
- Grounds: Disability; Gender identity
- Area(s): Disability Standards; Education
- Settlement terms:
- Education - other
About the complaint
The complainant’s son is transgender and has Bipolar Disorder, Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and identifies as neurodivergent. The complainant said her son’s public school holds two compulsory residential schools each year. She alleged the respondent school principal denied her son permission to attend a residential school, saying he could not share sleeping quarters with other boys or sleep on his own and citing concerns for his safety. The complainant said her son had previously attended residential schools without incident and the principal made the decision without consulting her, her son or his treating professionals.
The complaint was resolved. The complainant reported that, on being notified of the complaint, the school became amenable to consider inclusion of her son in residential schools and ultimately gave him permission to attend.
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This is a summary of a selected complaint that has been resolved through our conciliation process. It's designed to help people better understand how complaints might be resolved and what outcomes are possible.
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Please note:
- all complaints are de-identified
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