Getting married in Australia

If you have decided to start a life in Australia, there is a good chance you may eventually want to get married in Australia. It’s a good idea to know what your options are, especially if one or both of you is not a resident of the country.

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The best way to get married in Australia is by planning ahead. Even those applying from outside the country must adhere to the Australian time frames and, thus, it is best to give yourself at least two months to plan the wedding.

How can I get married in Australia?

The first thing you need to take into consideration is that Australia does not allow ‘quickie’ weddings. It takes time to obtain the appropriate licensing and permission to wed.

You first need to choose your marriage celebrant or minister and then complete a Notice of Intended Marriage form. This form must be completed and given to the celebrant or minister at a minimum of one month and one day before the wedding date, but no more than 18 months in advance.

You will need to show your original birth certificates and evidence that any prior marriages have been dissolved by death or divorce.

Can the Notice of Intended Marriage period be shortened?

There are five possible cases in which the ‘one month and a day’ may be waived, but it is important to note that the shortening of time is not an immediate process either. A prescribed authority must first take all factors into consideration and will then decide whether or not to shorten the time.

Your notice period may be suspended if your circumstances fall into one or more of the following five categories:

  • Employment–related or other travel commitments
  • Wedding or celebration arrangements, or religious considerations
  • Medical reasons
  • Legal proceedings
  • An error in giving notice

Can same-sex couples marry in Australia?

At this stage, Australian law defines marriage as “… the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others”, meaning that same-sex couples are not afforded the right to marry in Australia. Additionally, same sex marriages entered into under the laws of other countries are not legally recognised in Australia.

However, commitment ceremonies are often performed, and are legal provided they do not purport to be a legal marriage.

For further information, visit the Australian Government’s Attorney-General’s Department website.