Getting Married in Australia: A Complete 2025 Guide for Migrants and International Students

Whether you’re an international student, skilled visa holder, or temporary resident, marriage in Australia is simpler than most people think – but only if you know the right process.

Recently, in an insightful conversation hosted by Viirendrasinh Jhala and Nishant Patel from Aussizz Group, licensed Marriage Celebrant Suresh Patel answered the most common questions about how to get married in Australia legally.

This blog brings together all those answers – simplified, accurate, and updated for 2025, under the Marriage Act 1961 (Amended 2017).

Who Can Get Married in Australia?

In Australia, any two people can marry – regardless of nationality, visa status, gender, or religion.

That means even international students and temporary visa holders can tie the knot here.

Basic requirements:

• Both partners must be 18 years or older.
• If one person is 16–18 years old, they’ll need parental consent or a magistrate’s court order.
• You don’t need to live together before marriage.
• You don’t need permanent residency or citizenship.

The essence of Australian marriage law is consent. If two adults know each other and agree to marry, that’s enough to start the process.

Documents You’ll Need for Registration

To make your marriage legally valid, both partners must provide:

• Passport – proof of identity and nationality
• Birth certificate – proof of age
• Driver’s licence or another photo ID
• If your documents are in another language, they must be translated into English by a NAATI-accredited translator

Your celebrant will guide you through submitting a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) – the very first legal step.

What Is the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)?

The NOIM must be submitted at least 30 days before the wedding date to an authorised celebrant.

It declares your intention to marry and confirms your identity.

Once lodged, you can marry anytime after 30 days.

This waiting period allows the celebrant to verify that both partners are entering marriage voluntarily and without pressure.

Religious vs. Legal Marriage: What’s the Difference?

Couples from Indian, Nepali, and South Asian backgrounds often ask –
“Is my temple or gurudwara marriage valid in Australia?”

Here’s the clear answer:

Religious marriages are not legally recognised unless registered through a licensed marriage celebrant and recorded with the Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) office.

So, even if you’ve completed your traditional rituals, you still need to register your marriage officially to receive your BDM Marriage Certificate, which is required for partner visa and migration purposes.

On the Wedding Day

Your big day doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive – Australia keeps it flexible.

• You can marry anywhere – your home, a park, beach, office, or the celebrant’s venue.
• You must have two witnesses (each over 18 years old with photo ID).
• The celebrant issues a temporary proof of marriage on the spot.
• Within four to six weeks, the official BDM Marriage Certificate arrives by post – this is your only legally valid document.

Is Same-Sex Marriage Legal in Australia?

Absolutely yes. Since the 2017 amendment to the Marriage Act, two people – regardless of gender – can marry legally in Australia.

Can You Marry While Still Married to Someone Else?

No. Australian law allows only one legal marriage at a time. You must provide your official divorce order before remarrying.

Overseas Marriages and Divorces

• A marriage conducted overseas (e.g., in India) is generally valid in Australia, provided it follows the legal requirements of the country where it occurred.
• You can file for divorce in Australia even if your wedding happened overseas.
• The court will require your foreign marriage certificate as evidence.

Do You Need a Court Marriage?

No – and that’s one of the biggest myths. Unlike India, you don’t go to court to get married in Australia.

You can hold your ceremony anytime, anywhere, as long as it’s witnessed by two adults and conducted by a licensed celebrant.

How Long Does It Take to Get the Certificate?

Once your celebrant submits the documents to the BDM office, you’ll typically receive your official certificate in 4–6 weeks. In many cases, couples receive it in as little as two weeks.

One Law Across Australia

Whether you’re marrying in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, or Western Australia, the Marriage Act 1961 applies nationally. The process and requirements are the same across every state and territory.

After Marriage – What’s Next?

After getting your marriage certificate, you may become eligible for:

• Partner visas (Subclass 820/801 or 309/100)
• Dependent visa extensions
• Family visa inclusion

With over 180 000+ successful visa grants, Aussizz Group can guide you through every post-marriage migration step – from preparing your partner visa documentation to ensuring compliance with visa condition 8501.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can international students get married in Australia?

Yes. International students on a Subclass 500 visa can legally get married in Australia as long as they meet the basic requirements under the Marriage Act 1961. They must lodge the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form at least 30 days before the wedding with an authorised celebrant and present valid identity documents.

Q2. Do we need parental consent?

Parental consent is only required if one partner is aged between 16 and 18 years. In such cases, written permission from parents or a court order from a magistrate must be provided before the marriage can proceed. If both individuals are 18 or older, no consent is needed.

Q3. How many witnesses are required?

Australian law requires two witnesses, each 18 years or older, to be physically present during the ceremony. Their role is to confirm that the marriage took place voluntarily and to sign the marriage certificate as official witnesses with valid photo identification.

Q4. Is a religious wedding valid for visa purposes?

A religious wedding, such as one held in a temple, church, or gurudwara, is not legally valid for visa or migration purposes unless it’s registered through a licensed celebrant and recorded with the Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) office. Only the BDM certificate is recognised by the Department of Home Affairs.

Q5. How long does it take to receive the official marriage certificate?

After the celebrant submits all documents to the BDM office, the official marriage certificate is typically issued within 4 to 6 weeks. In some states, depending on processing times, couples may receive it even earlier – sometimes in just two weeks.

Final Word

Marriage in Australia is designed to be inclusive, simple, and transparent.

If you’re a student or migrant planning your next step – whether it’s a partner visa, course extension, or settling permanently – understanding the legal marriage process is your first milestone.

At Aussizz Group, our registered migration agents and counsellors have helped over 180 000 applicants make Australia their home – and we’d love to guide you, too.

Visit your nearest Aussizz Group branch or book an online consultation today to start your journey together – legally and confidently.