A mother has lodged a formal complaint with an unnamed Victorian school and the state Department of Education after a transgender Year 8 student, reportedly transitioning from male to female, was placed in a girls’ cabin during a two-night school camp. The incident has reignited debate over how schools should balance transgender students’ inclusion and privacy with other pupils’ and parents’ concerns about accommodation arrangements.

The school reportedly said it was acting within the department’s inclusion and diversity policy, which requires schools to take reasonable steps to prevent discrimination based on sex, gender and sexuality, including in activities such as camps. The department said students’ health, safety and wellbeing were its priorities and encouraged parents to raise concerns through the school or department. The dispute follows a similar 2024 incident at Geelong Grammar, while a recent report said more than 15 per cent of Australian Year 8 students identify as LGBTIQA+.