Queensland transgender and intersex people are pushing for the right to have their gender recognised on their birth certificate.

Currently only people who have undergone gender reassignment surgery are eligible to apply to have their birth certificates changed.

Janet Berry, from the Queensland Action Group for LGBTIQ+ Students, said many people were excluded by the rules.

"Some people don't want to go through sex assignment surgery, it can be risky and it can be expensive," Dr Berry said.

The law also means people who are married and undergo surgery must get divorced before they can change the sex on their birth certificate.

"Even though one member of the marriage has gone through the transgender process, that doesn't mean to say the couple wants to split up and it can be stressful to any children involved," Dr Berry said.

The ACT passed laws in 2014 to make it easier for people to change the sex on their birth certificates.

Legislation has been introduced into Victoria and South Australia's parliaments, while Tasmania is looking at the issue.

Ms D'Ath said the Government was looking at further reforms for the LGBTI community. ( AAP: Glenn Hunt )

Ms Berry said her group had lobbied Queensland's Attorney-General to follow suit.

"Twice we've had the reply that it is not a priority," she said. "Considering that it's a mental health issue for this group of people, we think it definitely should be."

A spokesman for Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath said the Government was taking action on a range of issues including moving to expunge historical convictions for homosexual offences, removing the so-called gay panic defence, and standardising the age of consent.

"The Government will continue to look at further reforms, including those being introduced in other jurisdictions," the spokesperson said.

More than just a word

Trans woman 19-year-old *Julie (not her real name) changed her name last year but said it was upsetting her birth certificate still said "male".

"If you're applying for a job, or getting your licence, you're showing this thing saying 'this is who I am', but the birth certificate doesn't reflect who you are," Julie said.

"They're not respecting your identity. It's one of the first challenges I've come across that I can't do anything about it.

"If you're not trans and you have the wrong sex, the wrong gender on something you won't think it's a small thing — you'll be like 'it's not me' — that's exactly how we feel and the Government isn't respecting that."

The Australian Human Rights Commission called for reforms in the area in 2009 and Queensland's Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Kevin Cocks first pushed for the issue in 2013, during a review of the Births, Deaths and Marriages Act.

He is hopeful there will be changes, adding the LGBTI community had been ignored for too long.

"It can't come fast enough," Mr Cocks said. "These things take time to get momentum.

"We have many vulnerable younger people, and older people who, if this change happens in the way people are asking, their vulnerability would be decreased."

*Julie wished to remain anonymous for this story