Same-sex couples and their families

In 2008, significant reforms to state and federal laws have brought greater recognition to same-sex couples and their children. Equal rights and responsibilities have been extended to same-sex couples who are de facto partners across almost all laws throughout Australia, and to lesbian co-parents also in NSW and federal law. This chapter describes recent changes in state and federal law, and how same-sex couples and parents are recognised. The new definitions and their interpretation are outlined, then rights in various substantive areas are discussed