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Same Sex Relationships
and Family Law
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If you are in a same sex relationship and have recently married or intend to do so, you may have some questions as to how the recent changes to same sex marriage laws in Australia could affect you. We assist parties who are beginning or ending same sex marriage and divorce in Australia, provide advice as to how the relevant laws apply to their individual situation.
Same Sex Marriages
Same sex marriage became legal in Australia on 9 December 2017 when the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017 commenced. The Act amended the Marriage Act 1961 by redefining the concept of marriage as ‘the union of 2 people to the exclusion of all others’ rather than the union of ‘a man and a woman’. A report released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that in the six months following the legalisation of same sex marriage in Australia, 3149 same sex weddings were held. Prior to the 2017 amendments, same sex couples could not legally marry in Australia but those who lived together ‘on a genuine domestic basis’ were recognised as being in a de facto relationship.
Same sex couples who are recognised as de facto partners do largely have the same rights and obligations in family law matters as legal spouses do. One major difference and an additional obstacle for parties to a de facto relationship however, is that they must prove the existence of their de facto relationship prior to commencing property proceedings. Parties to a marriage do not face this additional hurdle and must simply provide their marriage certificate to commence property proceedings.
Same Sex Separation and Divorce
Overseas Same Sex Marriages
The Act was further amended to recognise all same sex marriages performed overseas before the amendments were made, as well as same sex marriages performed in Australia by a diplomatic or consular officer under the law of a foreign country. This means that any same sex couples who married in a foreign country prior to the 2017 amendments can apply for divorce in Australia. The Act also recognises all same sex divorces granted overseas prior to the 2017 amendments.
important things you should know
Information about Same Sex relationships
One difference for same sex couples getting married in Australia may potentially be what type of celebrant can solemnise their marriage, and in particular whether or not their marriage can be solemnised by a Minister of religion or a religious marriage celebrant. If a Minister’s religion does not recognise same sex marriage, the Minister may not be able to solemnise a same sex marriage. Under the Marriage Act, a religious marriage celebrant may refuse to solemnise a marriage if their religious beliefs would not allow them to do so.
Before the legalisation of same sex marriage in Australia, thousands of Australian same sex couples chose to get married in countries which had already legalised same sex marriage, such as New Zealand, Canada, Britain and the Netherlands. Effective from 9 December 2017 onwards, the Marriage Act was amended to legally recognise all same sex marriages solemnised overseas. Same sex marriages solemnised in Australia by a diplomatic or consular officer under the law of another country prior to the Marriage Act being amended are also recognised.
From the date of the amendments to the Marriage Act in December 2017, same sex couples who were married in an overseas country where same sex marriage was legalised will be able to apply for divorce in Australia. As with heterosexual couples applying for divorce, in order for a divorce to be granted, same sex couples will need to satisfy the court that they have been separated for at least 12 months and that there is no reasonable likelihood of reconciliation.
Same sex couples who were divorced overseas prior to the amendments to the Marriage Act in Australia will generally have their divorces recognised under Australian law. Same sex couples who divorced overseas will have their divorces recognised as long as they meet the requirements of the Family Law Act for a valid divorce.
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