Queensland’s first civil partnerships will take place next month after Governor Penny Wensley approved the Civil Partnership Act today.
It will come into effect on February 23.
Following an expected 10-day waiting period for the legislation to get royal assent, the earliest ceremonies could take place on March 5.
Deputy Premier Andrew Fraser introduced the legislation to parliament in October as a private member's Bill and it was passed in December.
MPs voted 47 to 40 in favour of the new legislation, which will allow couples to register their union with the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Marriage is mandated by federal legislation in Australia and under the Marriage Act is deemed to be between a man and a woman.
However, same-sex couples have equal rights with heterosexual couples in areas such as pension schemes and medical benefits.
Forms for civil marriage are now available to download from the Department of Justice and Attorney General website from today.
The Births, Deaths and Marriages registry is currently developing procedures to allow the appointment of civil partnership notaries from April.
For more information on the Civil Partnerships Act, visit www.justice.qld.gov.au/bdm.
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