The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

1.1.R.22 Relationship parent/child

Definition

If someone is a child of an individual within the meaning of the Family Law Act 1975 and they are not a biological or adopted child of the individual, then the child is the 'relationship child' of the individual and the individual is the 'relationship parent' of the child. The situations in the Family Law Act where someone is a child of a person, but is not a biological or adopted child of that person, include:

  • children born as a result of artificial conception procedures
  • children of de facto partners, and
  • children born under surrogacy arrangements.

The same provisions also apply to a parent or grandparent of a relationship parent of the child.

Act reference: FAAct section 3(1)-'relationship child', section 3(1)-'relationship parent'

SSAct section 5(1)-'relationship child', section 5(1)-'relationship parent', section 5(25) Relationship child and relationship parent

Family Law Act 1975 section 4(1)-'child', section 60H Children born as a result of artificial conception procedures, section 60HA Children of de facto partners, section 60HB Children born under surrogacy arrangements

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