{"id":"nsw:sl-2020-0494","name":"Relationships Register Regulation 2020","slug":"relationships-register-regulation-2020","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"494 of 2020","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":176392,"registerId":"nsw-nsw:sl-2020-0494-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Regulation","content":"#### 1 Name of Regulation\n\n1 Name of Regulation\n\n> This Regulation is the [Relationships Register Regulation 2020](/view/pdf/asmade/sl-2020-494).","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n2 Commencement\n\n> This Regulation commences on the day on which it is published on the NSW legislation website.\n> \n> Note.\n> \n> This Regulation repeals and replaces the [Relationships Register Regulation 2015](/view/html/repealed/current/sl-2015-0522), which would otherwise be repealed on 1 September 2020 by section 10(2) of the [Subordinate Legislation Act 1989](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1989-146).","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 3 Definitions\n\n3 Definitions\n\n> > (1) In this Regulation—\n> > \n> > fee unit—see Schedule 1, section 2.\n> > \n> > the Act means the [Relationships Register Act 2010](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2010-019).\n> > \n> > Note.\n> > \n> > The Act and the [Interpretation Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1987-015) contain definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this Regulation.\n> \n> > (2) Notes included in this Regulation do not form part of this Regulation.\n> \n> **s 3:** Am 2024 (192), Sch 2\\[1\\] \\[2\\].","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Recognition of interstate legislation and registrations","content":"#### 4 Recognition of interstate legislation and registrations\n\n4 Recognition of interstate legislation and registrations\n\n> > (1) The following laws are prescribed as corresponding laws for the purpose of the definition of corresponding law in section 4(1) of the Act—\n> > \n> > > (a) the Civil Unions Act 2012 of the Australian Capital Territory,\n> > \n> > > (b) the Domestic Relationships Act 1994 of the Australian Capital Territory,\n> > \n> > > (c) the Civil Partnerships Act 2011 of Queensland,\n> > \n> > > (d) the Relationships Act 2003 of Tasmania,\n> > \n> > > (e) the Relationships Act 2008 of Victoria.\n> \n> > (2) The following classes of relationships are declared to be interstate registered relationships for the purposes of the Act—\n> > \n> > > (a) civil unions entered into and in force under the Civil Unions Act 2012 of the Australian Capital Territory,\n> > \n> > > (b) civil partnerships entered into and in force under the Domestic Relationships Act 1994 of the Australian Capital Territory,\n> > \n> > > (c) relationships for which registration as a civil partnership is in force under the Civil Partnerships Act 2011 of Queensland,\n> > \n> > > (d) significant relationships for which deeds of relationship have been registered, and are in force, under the Relationships Act 2003 of Tasmania,\n> > \n> > > (e) registered domestic relationships within the meaning of the Relationships Act 2008 of Victoria.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Fees","content":"#### 5 Fees\n\n5 Fees\n\n> > (1) For the Act, section 17(2)(a), the fees payable for applications under the Act, sections 6 and 11 are set out in Schedule 1, Part 1.\n> \n> > (2) (Repealed)\n> \n> > (3) The Registrar may, in appropriate cases, waive or refund the whole or part of a fee for an application.\n> \n> **s 5:** Am 2023 (632), Sch 2\\[1\\] \\[2\\]; 2024 (192), Sch 2\\[3\\].","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Service of notice of revocation application","content":"#### 6 Service of notice of revocation application\n\n6 Service of notice of revocation application\n\n> > (1) A notice of an application to revoke the registration of a relationship, made by one person in a registered relationship, is to be served on the other person in the registered relationship by serving a copy of the application—\n> > \n> > > (a) personally in accordance with rule 10.21 of the [Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005](/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2005-0418), or\n> > \n> > > (b) by sending it by registered post, addressed to the person, to the person’s business or residential address, or\n> > \n> > > (c) by transmitting an electronic copy of the document to the person’s email address.\n> \n> > (2) Proof of service of the notice is to be provided to the Registrar by way of a statutory declaration by the person who served the notice personally, or caused it to be sent by registered post or by email, setting out the person’s name, the method of service and the date and time of service.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Notification of registration to authorities of other jurisdictions","content":"#### 7 Notification of registration to authorities of other jurisdictions\n\n7 Notification of registration to authorities of other jurisdictions\n\n> The Registrar may provide information about the registration of relationships in this State to the registration authorities under corresponding laws.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Repeal and saving","content":"#### 8 Repeal and saving\n\n8 Repeal and saving\n\n> > (1) The [Relationships Register Regulation 2015](/view/html/repealed/current/sl-2015-0522) is repealed.\n> \n> > (2) An act, matter or thing that, immediately before the repeal of the [Relationships Register Regulation 2015](/view/html/repealed/current/sl-2015-0522) had effect under that Regulation continues to have effect under this Regulation.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 1","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Fees","content":"# Schedule 1 Fees\n\nSchedule 1 Fees\n\nsection 5\n\n**sch 1:** Ins 2024 (192), Sch 2\\[4\\].","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Fees payable","content":"# Part 1 Fees payable\n\nPart 1 Fees payable\n\n| Item | Type of fee | Fee (in fee units) |\n| 1 | Application for registration of a relationship under the Act, section 6 | 1.86 |\n| 2 | Application to revoke registration of a relationship under the Act, section 11 | 0.93 |","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Adjustment of fees for inflation","content":"# Part 2 Adjustment of fees for inflation\n\nPart 2 Adjustment of fees for inflation","sortOrder":10}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available metadata, the regulation appears to remain within its original administrative scope of supporting the Relationships Register Act 2010. The updates in 2024 likely reflect fee adjustments or minor procedural changes rather than any expansion or contraction of the regulation's fundamental purpose. No evidence of scope creep or narrowing is apparent from the information provided."},"complexity_factors":["The actual substantive content of the regulation is not included in the provided text — only metadata, navigation elements, and status information are visible, limiting full analysis","The regulation operates as subsidiary legislation (a regulation made under a parent Act), meaning you must read both documents together to understand the full legal framework","There have been multiple versions (August 2020, January 2024, July 2024), suggesting amendments that may require comparison to understand current obligations","The automatic staged repeal mechanism adds a temporal complexity — the regulation has a finite lifespan and may be remade in a different form"],"plain_english_summary":"The Regulation sets the administrative and procedural rules for the Relationships Register under the Relationships Register Act 2010, governing how relationships are registered, recorded, changed and ended. It affects couples in NSW who choose to register their relationship, the officials who administer the register, and legal practitioners who rely on registered status for property, inheritance, next-of-kin and benefit entitlements. The regulation is scheduled to be automatically repealed on 1 September 2026 unless remade."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The regulation maintains its original narrow purpose of operationalising the Relationships Register Act 2010. The 2024 amendments added a modernised fee structure with CPI indexing (replacing the previous fee-setting approach) and updated definitions, but this represents administrative improvement rather than scope expansion. The core functions — recognition of interstate relationships, fee setting, service requirements, and information sharing — remain consistent with the original 2015 regulation's intent."},"complexity_factors":["Straightforward structure with only 8 operative sections plus a Schedule","Minimal defined terms (only 2 in section 3, plus 2 in Schedule 1 Part 2)","Simple cross-referencing limited to the parent Act and standard interpretation legislation","Fee calculation mechanism in Schedule 1 Part 2 involves mathematical formulas with CPI indexing, creating moderate complexity for annual adjustments","No nested exceptions or conditional logic beyond basic service requirements","Clear repeal and savings provision ensuring continuity"],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation sets out the practical rules for how the NSW Relationships Register works. The Register is the official system where couples in NSW can record their de facto relationship, giving them legal proof of their status.\n\n**What this regulation does:**\n\n* **Recognises relationships from other states and territories** — If you registered your relationship in the ACT, Queensland, Tasmania, or Victoria, NSW will treat it as valid here too. This covers civil unions, civil partnerships, and registered domestic relationships.\n\n* **Sets the fees** — It costs **1.86 fee units** (about $186 in 2024–25) to register a relationship, and **0.93 fee units** (about $93) to apply to cancel a registration. These amounts automatically adjust each year for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index.\n\n* **Explains how to serve papers when ending a relationship** — If one partner wants to revoke (cancel) the registration, they must formally notify the other partner by:\n  * Handing it to them personally,\n  * Sending it by registered post, or\n  * Emailing it.\n  * Proof of delivery must be provided via a statutory declaration (a formal written statement made under oath).\n\n* **Allows information sharing** — The Registrar can tell other states' authorities about NSW registrations, which helps keep records consistent across Australia.\n\n* **Replaces the old 2015 rules** — This regulation updates and replaces the previous version, with all existing registrations and actions continuing as normal.\n\n**Who it affects:**\nCouples in NSW who want to register their de facto relationship, couples moving from interstate with existing registrations, and anyone seeking to end a registered relationship.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nRegistered relationships give couples legal rights similar to marriage in many areas — such as property, inheritance, and medical decisions — without having to marry. This regulation ensures the system runs smoothly, fairly, and keeps pace with inflation."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Regulation replaces the 2015 version but preserves continuity: acts effective under the old Regulation continue to have effect (s 8(1)–(2)). The instrument updates technical settings — prescribed corresponding laws (s 4), specific fees and fee‑unit indexing to CPI (s 5; Schedule 1, Part 2), service and proof rules for revocation (s 6), and Registrar powers to share information (s 7) — without expanding the Register’s statutory subject‑matter beyond the Act."},"complexity_factors":["Fee-indexing mechanics: CPI-based formulas for annual fee‑unit adjustment and rounding rules (Schedule 1, Part 2)","Interplay with external instruments: references to the Act, the Interpretation Act, Uniform Civil Procedure Rules, and interstate statutes (s 3, s 4, s 6)","Registrar discretions and operational duties: power to waive/refund fees, provide indexed‑fee notices, and share registrations with corresponding authorities (s 5(3), Schedule 1 Part 2 cl 4, s 7)","Transitional continuity: repeal and save clause preserving existing effects from the 2015 Regulation (s 8)","Two-step service regime for revocation notices with evidentiary requirement (s 6(1)–(2))"],"plain_english_summary":"This Regulation sets how NSW records and recognises registered relationships: it lists interstate relationship laws to be recognised, fixes application and revocation fees in fee‑units, allows the Registrar to waive or refund fees, prescribes how a revocation notice must be served, permits the Registrar to share registration data with corresponding authorities, and indexes fee units to the CPI. It primarily affects people applying to register or revoke a relationship and the Registrar; the direct costs are the statutory fees (Schedule 1) and the procedural requirements for service and information sharing (ss 4–7)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/relationships-register-regulation-2020","history":"/api/acts/relationships-register-regulation-2020/history","analysis":"/api/acts/relationships-register-regulation-2020/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/relationships-register-regulation-2020/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/relationships-register-regulation-2020/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/relationships-register-regulation-2020/documents"}}