Same-sex marriage in Tasmania

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Tasmania, and in the rest of Australia, since 9 December 2017 following passage in the Parliament of the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017. Prior to this, Tasmania recognised two distinct categories of registered partnerships in accordance with the Relationships Act 2003—significant relationships and caring relationships. The act, which came into effect on 1 January 2004, also amended 73 pieces of state legislation to provide registered partners with nearly all of the rights offered to married couples. Furthermore, since July 2009, these relationships are recognised at the federal level, providing couples with almost all of the federal rights and benefits of marriage. In September 2010, the Parliament of Tasmania approved legislation to recognize same-sex unions performed outside Tasmania as significant relationships.

A bill to legalise same-sex marriage was introduced to the Tasmanian Parliament in August 2012. The bill passed the House of Assembly 13–11, but was later rejected 6–8 by the Legislative Council on 28 September 2012.

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