17 June 2026
Female same-sex parents will have the opportunity to both be recognised as mothers on their child’s birth certificate for the first time in South Australia, following the passage of a Greens’ Private Members Bill through state parliament today.
Key facts:
- Currently in South Australia, a mother and father are listed on a birth certificate. In instances where the parents are both women, only the birth mother is listed as ‘mother,’ while the other can only be listed as ‘co-parent.’
- Under the Greens’ bill, same-sex mothers will now have the opportunity to substitute ‘co-parent’ for ‘mother’ or ‘parent’ on a birth certificate ensuring that the certificate better reflects the reality of their family unit.
- In instances where two-men adopt or become parents through surrogacy arrangements, the court determines how their parental titles are recorded on a birth certificate. This reform will not impact on these arrangements.
- Under the change, same-sex mothers will be able to apply for a new birth certificate for their child to reflect their preferred titles
- The reform will also align marriage certificates and death certificates with the titles listed on a revised birth certificate
- The Private Members Bill introduced by Greens SA Leader Robert Simms MLC passed the Upper House Wednesday on 3rd of June and the Lower House today, with support of Labor MPs. It was opposed by the Liberals and One Nation. The bill will now become law.
Quotes attributable to Robert Simms MLC
“This is another positive advancement for LGBTI rights in South Australia. More than a decade has passed since our state finally changed the law to allow women in same-sex relationships to both be included on their child’s birth certificate but only as mother and co-parent. In recent years, same-sex mothers who are seeking to have their status as mothers equally recognised on their child’s birth certificate. Irrespective of whether or not they give birth to the child, both parents should have the right to be acknowledged as mothers, reflecting the reality of their family structure and relationship with their child. Finally, we have changed the law to give these mothers that right.
While there is still more work to do to modernise birth certificates in SA to better reflect the diversity of family structures, I know that this change will make a big difference to many rainbow families in our state. I thank the Labor Government for their support for this sensible initiative.”
Quotes attributable to same-sex mother, Skye Davis
“My wife, Lyssa and I share motherhood equally for our son and we do not wish to be viewed differently by him or anyone else. Of course, my wife having carried and birthed our son is an important and amazing part of his life, but it should not discredit my ability to be his mother also.
The restrictive laws in SA have caused us both great sadness and disappointment. In 2024, we wrote to the Greens to advocate for the law to change to allow for equal recognition of same-sex mothers. We are delighted to see the parliament finally modernise the legislation to allow same-sex couples to exist in harmony with their children and be viewed equally in the eyes of the State of South Australia.
Quotes attributable to Jess Cronin, Rainbow Families SA
“This bill is a positive step forward for rainbow families in South Australia. My partner and I were fortunate to have our children in the ACT, where we are both recognised as equal parents on their birth certificates. Had our children been born in South Australia, as the birth mother, only I would have been recognised in this way. We moved back to South Australia when our youngest child was eight weeks old. Had he been born just eight weeks later, we would not have had that same legal recognition on his birth certificate here in South Australia
Like so many parents, we dreamed of having children together, navigated the IVF journey side by side, and supported each other every step of the way. We are equal mothers to our two children, and that is exactly how they see us. That is the reality for many rainbow families whose children have been born in South Australia, and they deserve to have that reality reflected on one of their children’s most important legal documents – their birth certificates.
Rainbow Families SA commends the Greens and Labor for progressing this change, which means more rainbow families will see themselves recognised equally, respectfully and with dignity by the State of South Australia.”