The Better Lives Project in Tasmania, delivered by Working It Out in partnership with Intersex Peer Support Australia, is an education and support initiative designed to improve outcomes for people with innate variations of sex characteristics (also known as intersex variations). The project works closely with the Department of Health by providing training, resources, and practical guidance to medical professionals—such as specialists , nurses, midwives, and allied health workers—to increase their understanding and use of appropriate, inclusive language and practices.

Through workshops, learning modules, and materials for both professionals and families, Better Lives promotes person centred care, informed consent, and respect for bodily diversity, helping to reduce stigma and improve patient experiences in medical settings.

Ultimately, the project supports healthcare providers to deliver safer, more inclusive, and ethically informed care for people with innate variations of sex characteristics across Tasmania. Last week the Better Lives program was in the Northwest Regional and Mersy Hospitals in-servicing midwifery, paediatric nurses and specialists as well as a few amazing Emergency Department nurses.

To find out more about the Better Lives program email simone-lisa@workingitout.org.au