The amended definition of “spouse” under Section 5F of the Migration Act

Also please be aware that a person in a same sex relationship, who plans to marry in Australia,
can now apply for a Prospective Marriage Subclass 300 visa.

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MIGRATION ACT 1958 - SECT 5F Spouse
MIGRATION ACT 1958 - SECT 5F

Spouse 
            (1)  For the purposes of this Act, a person is the spouse of another person (whether of the same sex or a different                       sex) if, under subsection (2), the 2 persons are in a married relationship.

             (2)   For the purposes of subsection (1), persons are in a married relationship if:

                     (a)  they are married to each other under a marriage that is valid for the purposes of this Act; and
                     (b)  they have a mutual commitment to a shared life as a married couple to the exclusion of all others;

                     and
                    
                     (c)  the relationship between them is genuine and continuing; and
                     (d)  they:

                              (i)  live together; or
                             (ii)  do not live separately and apart on a permanent basis.
            
             (3)  The regulations may make provision in relation to the determination of whether one or more of the conditions in paragraphs (2)(a), (b), (c) and (d) exist. The regulations may make different provision in relation to the determination for different purposes whether one or more of those conditions exist.
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Note:          Section 12 also affects the determination of whether the condition in paragraph (2)(a) of this section exists.