In the sixth edition of Family Law, Anthony Dickey QC continues to offer a comprehensive and eloquent outline of the substantive rules of family law in Australia. This well-respected text offers an indispensible reference tool for legal practitioners and students alike. Substantial changes have been included in the sixth edition. In particular, a new chapter has been added on de facto relationships. This addresses amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), including the new Part VIIIAB relating to financial agreements for de facto couples, and new and amended State and Territory Acts for relationships and civil partnerships. This edition further addresses various implications of family law for de facto partners, such as proceedings in financial causes, de facto maintenance provisions, and property settlement proceedings.  The sixth edition also includes discussion of developments in administrative assessment of child support, covering topics such as the duty of parents, eligibility, formalities and procedures; and the jurisdiction of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia (formerly the Federal Magistrates Court).   Table of contents 1 Historical Introduction 2 Commonwealth and State Powers in Family Law 3 Introduction to the Family Law Act 4 Six Basic Terms: “Parent”, “Child”, “Party to a Marriage”, “Child of a Marriage”, “De Facto Partner”, “Child of a De Facto Partner” 5 Genesis of the Family Court 6 Family Law Courts 7 Resolution of Disputes under the Family Law Act 8 Jurisdiction of Courts Administering the Family Law Act 9 Introduction to Marriage and Nullity of Marriage 10 Marriage and Nullity of Marriage 11 Forms of Relief for a Void Marriage 12 Establishing the Existence of Marriage 13 Introduction to Divorce 14 Divorce 15 De Facto Relationships 16 The Status of Children 17 Establishing the Parentage of Children 18 Parental Powers and Responsibilities 19 Persons Possessing Parental Responsibility 20 Private Re-allocation of Parental Powers and Responsibilities 21 Parenting Orders 22 The Welfare Power 23 Best Interests of the Child the Paramount Consideration 24 Common Considerations in Parenting Proceedings 25 Orders for Contact with a Child 26 Introduction to Financial Relief for De Facto Partners under the Family Law Act 27 Introduction to Maintenance 28 Spousal Maintenance Liability 29 Spousal Maintenance Orders 30 Maintenance for Mothers of Ex-nuptial Children 32 Administrative Assessment of Child Support 33 Registration and Collection of Child Support 34 Child Maintenance under the Family Law Act 35 Introduction to Matrimonial Property 36 Introduction to Property Orders under the Family Law Act 37 The Meaning of “Property” under the Family Law Act 38 Property Jurisdiction under the Family Law Act 39 Declaration of Property Interests 40 Alteration of Property Interests: The Terms of Section 79(1) 41 Alteration of Property Interests: The Three Basic Steps 42 Alteration of Property Interests: Four Particular Powers 43 Alteration of Property Interests: The Requirement of Justice and Equity 44 Alteration of Property Interests: The Seven Considerations 45 Alteration of Property Interests: Variation of Property Orders 46 Alteration of Property Interests: Nuptial Settlements 47 Further Feature of Part VIII: Termination of Financial Relations 48 Power of Court to Set Aside Transactions 49 Introduction to Financial Agreements 50 Financial Agreements 51 Injunctions 52 Injunctions and Third Parties