For relationships that break down after 1 March 2009, new laws apply under the Family Law Act.
The same legal principles that apply to financial settlements between parties to a marriage are now applied to settlements between same sex couples.
Superannuation can be split between same sex couples following their relationship breakdown. Spousal maintenance can also be ordered.
Cases between same sex couples pertaining to their legal or adopted children have been regulated by the Family Law Act since 1988.
