De facto partners (whether same sex or different) separated after 1 March 2009 can apply to the Federal Magistrates Court or Family Court in relation to Property and Maintenance Orders in the same way as a married couple. The Relationships Act 2008 is applicable to those separated before 1 March 2009.
De facto partners (regardless of when they have separated) can apply for Parenting Orders in the Family or Federal Magistrates Court in the same way as a married couple.