A 4-year-old in Australia has been approved of getting a sex change operation before entering kindergarten. Psychologists warned that the toddler is too young to make that decision although many other young children have considered a sex change operation, including a 3-year-old.

“I would have thought four is pretty young for any official policy support,” transgender advocate Catherine McGregor told The Sun. “In my experience, kids with strong cross-gender identification tend to get it right. However, I can understand there would be caution on the part of the department and medical practitioners on making any irreversible decisions at that stage.”

School Program Supports Gender Transition

The New South Wales Department of Education supports the toddler’s decision and has provided a support package for the gender transition. Government officials in New South Wales say there a dozens of students in state schools undergoing gender transition surgery.

“We have a number of students who are going through gender transition in our schools, with the youngest being a 4-year-old at the moment,” NSW Education Department deputy secretary of school operations told Evening Standard UK. “The Safe Schools (program) is only one resource that can be used in how we would support that family, student and school to accommodate a child going through transition.”

Gender Change Section at Children’s Hospital

A doctor at the Sydney Children’s Hospital confirmed that the number of gender transition operations have tripled over the years throughout Australia while a hospital in Melbourne is assisting about 250 children in the gender dysphoria unit.

Clinical psychologist Rose Cantali warned about the precautions of doing an operation at such a young age.

“I would be very hesitant and other psychologists would say the same,” Cantali said. “Everything is developmental at that age.”

Government Approves Gender Status Change on Birth Certificates

Meanwhile, Victoria’s state Labor government allows for residents to receive a gender change on their birth certificates. The state introduced legislation that would make the process much easier.

“This is about removing barriers for trans, gender diverse and intersex people,” Attorney General Marin Pakula told HuffingtonPost Australia. “A birth certificate is more than just a piece of paper.”

The birth certificate legislation allows for transgender people to go through the name change without being forced to have a sex change surgery. Many transgender people decide not to have surgery because of the cost and many other reasons.

“Nobody should be forced to undergo major surgery…just to have a birth certificate that reflects who they are,” Pakula said.

Transgender people do not need a supporting statement from a doctor to change the gender on their birth certificates.