Gender affirmation

Monash is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the community. Below, we’ve provided some practical advice to support gender-diverse students who may be transitioning or affirming their gender at Monash, including those who identify with non-binary gender identities.

You can use this information as a starting point.

Changing your personal details

You can change or correct your name, date of birth or title, nominate pronouns, affirm your gender and/or share your preferred first name(s) with Monash University by submitting our online form.

Change your personal details

If you’re a past student or an alumni, you'll need to:

1. Complete the Change Your Personal Details (Past Students and Alumni) form.
2. Submit an enquiry through MoVA with the form attached.

To find out what documents you’ll need to provide, check our page on changing your personal details. You'll also find information about which systems will display your preferred first name, and how your gender information is recorded on personal details: what we'll update.

Replacing your M-Pass

If you’ve changed your legal name because you’re affirming your gender (or you’d just like to change the photo on your M-Pass), you can get a replacement M-Pass for free – all you need to do is submit an enquiry through MoVA.

Government organisations

You should also make sure you let Centrelink know of any changes to your name and/or gender to avoid any problems (e.g. Centrelink payments may be interrupted if University and Centrelink records don’t match) – it’s important to let Centrelink know as soon as possible if your personal details change.

If you’ve changed your legal name, you’ll also need to make sure your details are updated with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and in the Unique Student Identifier (USI) registry system.

Take a look at personal details: what you'll need to update for more information.

Legally changing your name and/or gender

Updating your legal name and/or gender in the University’s records is not the same as legally changing your name and/or gender. You can contact the Registry of Birth, Deaths and Marriages Victoria to find out how to:

• change your name, or
• change your gender.

If you can’t change your name legally, you’re still in process of changing it or you’d just like to use a different name, you can share a preferred first name(s) that will be used at Monash.

Updating and sharing your pronouns

Sharing pronouns is a personal choice and Monash supports you in deciding if, when, or how you share them. To learn more about how to nominate, update or check your pronouns recorded with the University, visit the updating and sharing your pronouns page.

Changing your title

You can change your title at any time without having to provide supporting documents – you’ll just need to submit the online form (above). You can select the title Mx to identify as outside of a binary gender.

Communicating with teaching staff

If you wish to use a preferred or chosen name, you’ll need to tell your tutor and/or lecturer (you can also share your pronouns).

You can use the email template we’ve provided (see below), or contact Respectful Communities – we can help you develop a communication plan, whether you have already transitioned or you’re in the early stages of transitioning, or you’re affirming your gender.

You may also wish to have an open and honest discussion with teaching staff about:

• who needs to know about your transition
• what flexibility there is in submission of assignments to accommodate any medical appointments you may have
• name and pronoun use.

All discussions relating to your transition or affirmation are protected under the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Victoria).

Email template (for communicating with teaching staff)

Hi <teacher’s name>,

My name is <preferred name> and I am a student in your class . I’m emailing to let you know that I’m affirming my gender at Monash. As part of my affirmation, I’m changing my name and pronouns.

My name is now <preferred name> and you’ll find this updated in Moodle and on the class list. In class, please address me with <pronouns> pronouns.

I would appreciate your support and understanding regarding the use of my name and pronouns.

Monash has many resources on what it means to be transgender or gender diverse, and how to adjust to using someone's new name and pronouns:

• check out the LGBTIQA+ site
• Pronoun Pro training
• LGBTIQA+ Ally training
• Transgender Awareness training.

I have also collected some resources that will help you support me in my gender affirmation:

• Learning about LGBTIQA+ (Monash University)
• What are pronouns? (Minus18)
• How to be a transgender ally (Minus18)
• Inclusive Language Guide (Victorian Government)

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Kind regards,

<preferred name>

Organising study adjustments

If you can show that your studies have been affected by exceptional circumstances beyond your control, you might be eligible for special consideration (depending on the type of assessment).

If at any point in your studies you experience a mental health condition, you’re encouraged to register with Disability Support Services. Disability advisers can individually discuss and arrange reasonable adjustments to your studies.

Support and resources

LGBTIQA+ support and services

Counselling Services

All-gender toilets

Student associations

Disability Support Services

Mental Health Programs

Ally Network

Need help or advice?

If you need help or advice, contact Monash Connect.