Most state and territory Registries of Births, Deaths and Marriages provide couples an alternative to marriage, in the form of a relationship register. Registers are available to adults who are in a relationship as a couple, regardless of sex.

A relationship register provides legal proof of a relationship, which may be helpful for:

tax purposes;

superannuation and government payments;

providing next-of-kin status to funeral directors; and

medical emergencies.



Registered relationships are not included in marriage statistics. However, each state and territory Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages that has a relationship register provides counts of registered relationships to the ABS. These counts provide a more holistic picture of how relationships are legalised. Currently Western Australia, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (where the register was withdrawn following the legalisation of same-sex marriage) are the only jurisdictions without a register.

Registered relationships as a proportion of all legal relationships (in those states and territories with a relationship register) has increased over time, from 7.5% in 2014 to 13.6% in 2018.