Couples are Couples campaign and media information

The Australian Government has introduced wide-ranging reforms that recognise all couples, regardless of the sexual orientation or gender of a partner. The reforms also recognises children living in same-sex families.

From 1 July 2009 changes to legislation will mean that customers who are in a same-sex de facto relationship will be recognised as partnered for Centrelink and Family Assistance Office purposes. All customers who are assessed as being a member of a couple will have their rate of payment calculated in the same way.

Video

This video provides information about the new reforms and what they mean for customers.

• Couples are Couples [Video, Windows WMV: 5,644KB]
• Couples are Couples [Video, Apple MOV: 9,542KB]
• Couples are Couples [Transcript, 2 pages, RTF: 10KB]

Audio

This audio contains information for customers about the new reforms.

• Couples are Couples [Audio, MP3: 1,174KB]
• Couples are Couples [Transcript, 1 page, RTF: 13KB]

Press advertisement

This advertisement will feature in national press and contains information for customers about the reforms and how to find out more information.

• Couples are Couples [1 page, PDF: 163KB]

Media backgrounder

This media provides background information regarding the same-sex law reforms and Centrelink.

• Same-sex reforms and Centrelink [4 pages, PDF: 80KB]
• Same-sex reforms and Centrelink [4 pages, RTF: 74KB]

Related information

• Centrelink recognises same-sex relationships from 1 July 2009
• Declaring your same-sex relationship to Centrelink - Minister for Human Services media release
• Same-sex couples urged to register with Centrelink - Minister for Human Services media release
• Centrelink seminars to explain same-sex reforms - Minister for Human Services media release
• Same-sex reform education campaign - Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs media release