De facto couples

[daddy_4_eyes]

Can anyone clarify a few questions I have about de facto relationships?

Does the law treat de facto couples essentially as married couples, or are there key differences?
How long does a couple have to live together to be recognised as a de facto couple? Are there formalities that one needs to go through to be recognised as a de facto couple?
Do "divorce laws" apply in a similar manner as to married couples? I.e. splitting of assets
How does Centrelink treat de facto couples? Same as married couples?




I ask this because a friend of mine moved in with her bf a few months back and this came up in conversation. After that convo the bloke is now scared that if they break up she can claim half the assets, even though essentially everything in their apartment is his.

 

[Anja_Nees]

De facto relationships are treated like married ones in many ways, but to be classified de facto you have to live together for quite some time (can't remember exactly how long, but a number of years). It's quite complex and messy, but just moving in together doesn't mean everything gets split down the middle when something goes wrong.