20Definition of dependant

20 Definition of dependant

(1) For the purposes of this Act, dependant, in relation to a person, includes the spouse of the person, any child of the person and any person with whom the person has an interdependency relationship. (2) The spouse, in relation to a person, includes: (a) another person (whether of the same sex or a different sex) with whom the person is in a relationship that is registered under a law of a State or Territory prescribed for the purposes of section 2E of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 as a kind of relationship prescribed for the purposes of that section; and (b) another person who, although not legally married to the person, lives with the person on a genuine domestic basis in a relationship as a couple. (3) Any child, in relation to a person, includes: (a) a stepchild, an ex‑nuptial child or an adopted child of the person; and (b) a child of the person’s spouse; and (c) someone who is a child of the person within the meaning of the Family Law Act 1975. (4) An adopted child, in relation to a person, means a person adopted by that person: (a) under the law of a State or Territory relating to the adoption of children; or (b) under the law of any other place relating to the adoption of children, if the validity of the adoption would be recognised under the law of any State or Territory.