At the Gender Institute Australia (GIA), we are committed to providing compassionate, personalised care for individuals seeking gender-affirming surgery. Our practice is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves to feel at home in their body, and we are proud to offer a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for those on their journey to self-affirmation.
As a boutique surgical practice, dedicated solely to transgender health, we understand the deeply personal nature of gender-affirming procedures and offer our patients unparalleled levels of care. Our team – led by Dr Farmer, a highly skilled and compassionate surgeon – is dedicated to supporting each patient through every step of their transition following modern international and domestic practices.
We offer a range of surgical options tailored to each individual's unique needs. From chest and breast surgeries to facial procedures and genital reconstruction, our comprehensive approach unites transgender healthcare in a single institute. We believe in getting to know you and your needs personally and professionally. This allows us to provide holistic and multidisciplinary care in medical, surgical and allied health fields – our established relationships with psychologists and physiotherapists ensure that every aspect of our patients’ well-being is considered. With everything coordinated in a single location, we build meaningful relationships with our patients, so to deliver more personalised and effective support. From the initial consultation to post-operative recovery, we prioritise creating a space where you feel heard and valued, we work closely with you to ensure your goals and expectations are met, and that you are comprehensively informed and supported throughout the process.
Our practice is built on inclusivity, respect and dignity for all. We strive to create a welcoming environment for people of all gender identities, including transgender, non-binary, gender-diverse and gender-questioning individuals. We are proud to be part of the wider LGBTQIA+ community and to collaborate with local and international advocacy groups and professional organisations. Staying informed and communicating the latest advancements in gender reassignment surgery and healthcare allows us to better the experience of all transgender individuals.
At GIA, we understand that gender-affirming surgery is more than just a medical procedure: it's a fundamental milestone towards achieving your authentic self with pride and confidence. It’s our privilege to support you on your journey.
Dr Farmer is a double board-certified, specialist Plastic Surgeon based in Adelaide, Australia. A Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, he has internationally renowned subspecialist training in Aesthetic Facial Plastic Surgery and Gender-Affirming Surgery. Dr Farmer founded the GIA to unite world-leading professionals committed to continuously improving transgender surgery and levels of care.
Through his medical and surgical training spanning 20 years, Dr Farmer has developed a reputation for delivering high-quality results using advanced techniques, and a focus on precision and a critical attention to detail. His patients come first: he commits time and effort to gain their respect and trust, addressing individuals’ needs with sensitivity and empathy. A warm and engaging approach allows Dr Farmer to form meaningful relationships. He provides considered and compassionate care through each step of your affirmation, from the pre-operative consultation and beyond.
Dr Farmer believes in super specialisation to achieve exceptional outcomes for his patients and as such, devotes his private practice work to the fields of Facial Plastic and Gender-Affirming surgery: the marriage of his extensive training and passion in the areas of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. To date, Dr Farmer is the only surgeon in Australia with international training in both facial feminisation surgery and gender-affirming vaginoplasty surgery, making him perfectly placed to lead the hand-picked team of healthcare professionals at the GIA.
Dr Farmer holds visiting medical specialist titles at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide, as well as the Royal Darwin Hospital, where he continues to provide training and education to Plastic Surgery Registrars and care for public patients. He remains connected with the University of Adelaide as a clinical lecturer in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Feminising Surgery
Masculinising Surgery
Non-binary Surgery
Australian-born and raised, Dr Farmer graduated from the University of Adelaide before undergoing an internship and three years of residency training in South Australia – during this time he gained experience in Plastic, Oculoplastic, ENT and Craniomaxillofacial surgery. It was here that Dr Farmer fell in love with Plastic and Reconstructive surgery and decided to pursue a highly competitive career in this field, gaining his specialist qualifications in Plastic and Reconstructive surgery after seven years of surgical training. While training, Dr Farmer received multiple national awards for his research and publications, along with the prestigious RP Jepson medal from the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.
Dr Farmer is committed to delivering the highest level of surgical care possible to his patients. To take his techniques and knowledge to the next level, he undertook a further two years of super-specialised fellowships. His first was in Craniomaxillofacial surgery (surgery that alters the face, jaw and skull) at the Australian Craniofacial Unit (now known as Cleft and Craniofacial SA). Here Dr Farmer honed his skills in altering the craniofacial skeleton, which is crucial for delivering the best care and results in Facial Feminisation surgery.
But there was more to learn. Dedicated to achieving the highest quality of surgical discipline and delivering his Australian patients superior care, Dr Farmer sought out the best Rhinoplasty, Facial Aesthetic and Gender Affirming Surgeons in the world and spent a further 12 months learning from these global masters. This training saw him awarded a fellowship with the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS) as well as certification in Gender Affirming Surgery in Europe. After 20 years of Medical and Surgical training, Dr Farmer is proud to have returned home to Australia in 2025 with a level of expertise that few surgeons hold in this field.
Professional Memberships
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