What is the Definition of a De Facto Relationship in Australia?

The definition of a de facto relationship is found on Section 4AA of the Family Law Act 1975.

You are in a de facto relationship if you are living together on a “genuine domestic basis”. You can be from the same or opposite sex. You must not be married or related to each other.

With regards to the length of time, there is no black and white rule in Australia for this. It is generally accepted that anything over “the two year mark” is regarded as a de facto relationship, though exceptions do apply.

For a more detailed information, please read our article about the definition of a De Facto relationship in Australia