De facto Relationships

In Australia, a de facto relationship is defined as a relationship between two people who are not married but who are living together as a couple on a genuine domestic basis. De facto relationships are recognised by Australian law and are subject to the same legal rights and obligations as married couples.

This means that couples in de facto relationships have rights to property settlements, spousal maintenance, and parenting arrangements in the event of a relationship breakdown, just like married couples do.

For a relationship to be considered a de facto relationship, a couple must be living together as a couple for at least two years, or have a child together, or have made significant contributions to the relationship.

However, the courts will also look at a range of other factors when determining whether a de facto relationship exists, such as the length of the relationship, the nature of the household arrangements, the level of financial interdependence between the parties and the reputation and public aspects of the relationship.

It's important to note that de facto relationships can exist between people of the same sex or opposite sex, and can involve people who are married to other people. If you are in a de facto relationship and need legal advice about your rights and obligations, it's important to seek advice from a family lawyer who is experienced in this area of law.