4-year-old begins gender transition in Australia

(iStock / file)
(iStock / file)

A four-year-old in New South Wales has begun the process of changing gender, with the help of the state government.

It comes amid a rapid increase in the number of Australian children considering gender changes.

The child will start making the transition before the first day of kindergarten next year and the NSW Education Department is supporting the family, the school and the child through the process.

But it won't reveal whether the child was born a girl or a boy.

The case has proven to be a polarising issue, with advocates saying usually children around that age are right about the gender they identify with, but others are questioning whether the state should be involved in supporting the process at all.

The number of children changing gender in Australia has skyrocketed.

At a hospital in Melbourne 10 years ago there was only one case of gender dysphoria - now there are 250, while at a Sydney hospital those numbers have tripled.

As the numbers continue to rise, it's likely the debate will go on and on.

Newshub.