Financial Planning for Similar to Sex Gay & Lesbian Couples in Australia

Same Sex Gay & Lesbian Financial Planning in Australia
Same sex couples in Australia have long fought for the removal of discrimination.  Following a report by the Australian Person Rights Commission into similar to sex relationships, the Australian Government introduced a many reforms aimed at removing financial discrimination throughout a section of financial planning areas within corporate security, taxation, Medicare, veteran's affairs, worker's compensation, educational assistance, superannuation, family law and child support.  The Similar to Sex Reforms, announced in 2008, saw the amendment of 84 Australian Commonwealth laws with most coming into effect on the 1st July 2009.
Some regarding the first changes to Financial Planning matters for Similar to Sex Gay and Lesbian couples subsequent to the Similar to Sex Reforms:
Superannuation:  Similar to sex partners and their children are now recognised as dependants on superannuation death benefits.  Where a partner dies, the surviving member regarding the couple shall now be treated like a death benefit dependant for the taxation of superannation benefits.
Taxation: Similar to sex couples are now eligible to access similar tax concessions that are available to married and other de facto couples.
Child Support:  Changes to Child Help Acts now recognise parentage for same-sex couples.  Where gay and lesbian couples with children separate, they should be eligible to apply for child support.
Social Security & Family Assistance: Members of similar to sex couples and their children are now recognised for Centrelink and Family Assistance purposes.
Veterans Affairs: Assistance to members regarding the Defence Force to acquire homes.  Members of similar to sex de facto relationship are recognised for pensions within war widow's pensions.
Citizenship: Similar to sex partners of Australian citizens are now can count a period of time spent outside Australia like a period of time spent inside Australia for the purposes of meeting citizenship requirements by conferral.  Children of similar to sex couples are now also recognised in eligible circumstances.

Financial Planning for Gay & Lesbian De Facto Couples in Australia
Now that similar to sex relationships are treated equally to de facto heterosexual relationships in Australian law, it's important that you and your partner make sure that you are creating the highest many of these new rights and privileges.  A professional financial planner can help take the guesswork out regarding the Similar to Sex Reforms and how the affect you and your partner's financial situation. For more facts on financial planning for similar to sex couples, download our Financial Planning for Similar to Sex Couples Ebook.