<P> The history of same - sex marriage in Australia includes its express prohibition by the Howard Government in 2004 and its eventual legalisation by the Parliament in December 2017 . Although a same - sex marriage law was passed by the Australian Capital Territory in 2013 , it was struck down by the High Court on the basis of inconsistency with federal law . The Court 's decision closed the possibility of concurrent state or territory laws that would allow same - sex marriage where federal law did not . A law legalising same - sex marriage passed the Parliament on 7 December 2017 and received royal assent the following day . </P>
<P> The history of same - sex marriage in Australia includes its express prohibition by the Howard Government in 2004 and its eventual legalisation by the Parliament in December 2017 . Although a same - sex marriage law was passed by the Australian Capital Territory in 2013 , it was struck down by the High Court on the basis of inconsistency with federal law . The Court 's decision closed the possibility of concurrent state or territory laws that would allow same - sex marriage where federal law did not . A law legalising same - sex marriage passed the Parliament on 7 December 2017 and received royal assent the following day . </P>
when did marriage equality became legal in australia
when did marriage equality became legal in australia
7 December 2017
7 December 2017