---
title: "Apply the expanded family definitions for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/family-law/apply-the-expanded-family-definitions-for-an-aboriginal-or-torres-strait"
type: "task"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A16-CO20261022-8"
practice_area: "Family Law"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Apply the expanded family definitions for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child

> From the facts the lawyer identifies, list each person whose relationship to the child is in issue, and the provision the document is applying: step-parent, family violence, the culture factor, or the information…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/family-law/apply-the-expanded-family-definitions-for-an-aboriginal-or-torres-strait  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Family Law](https://ailawframework.com/practice/family-law.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | From the facts the lawyer identifies, list each person whose relationship to the child is in issue, and the provision the document is applying: step-parent, family violence, the culture factor, or the information obligations. Do not decide that a person is a relative, and do not describe a kinship system. |
| What the lawyer must review | The lawyer applies the definitions. The Attorney-General's factsheet says subsection 4(1AD) provides that a person is a relative of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child if, in accordance with that child's culture, including but not limited to any kinship systems of that culture, they are related to the child. That definition feeds the definition of member of the family in subsection 4(1AB), and through it the definition of step-parent in subsection 4(1), the definition of family violence in section 4AB, and the culture factor in paragraph 60CC(3)(a). The expanded definition of member of the family does not apply to the information obligations in sections 60CF, 60CH and 60CI. For those sections the definition excluding the expanded component continues, including for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander party. The definition of relative of a child in subsection 4(1) is expanded in the same way. The factsheet says the definitions are applied with the subsection 4(1) definition of the child's culture. That definition was not set out on the page. The lawyer does not invent kinship examples. |
| Written for / versions | 1 jurisdiction versions below |

## Checking plan

**Source-by-source verification**

The responsible lawyer checks each element against the source named for it.

- What the AI does: From the facts the lawyer identifies, list each person whose relationship to the child is in issue, and the provision the document is applying: step-parent, family violence, the culture factor, or the information obligations. Do not decide that a person is a relative, and do not describe a kinship system.
- What the lawyer does: The lawyer applies the definitions. The Attorney-General's factsheet says subsection 4(1AD) provides that a person is a relative of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child if, in accordance with that child's culture, including but not limited to any kinship systems of that culture, they are related to the child. That definition feeds the definition of member of the family in subsection 4(1AB), and through it the definition of step-parent in subsection 4(1), the definition of family violence in section 4AB, and the culture factor in paragraph 60CC(3)(a). The expanded definition of member of the family does not apply to the information obligations in sections 60CF, 60CH and 60CI. For those sections the definition excluding the expanded component continues, including for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander party. The definition of relative of a child in subsection 4(1) is expanded in the same way. The factsheet says the definitions are applied with the subsection 4(1) definition of the child's culture. That definition was not set out on the page. The lawyer does not invent kinship examples.
- Who reviews: Responsible lawyer with competence in the matter
- Basis: Practical workflow informed by the linked primary sources; the traffic light and working checks are editorial guidance, not a court or regulator classification.
- Why: The level reflects what the work is, the consequence of an error, and how much of the output the lawyer must independently re-derive.

## Checks the lawyer makes

1. Keep sections 60CF, 60CH and 60CI on the unexpanded definition. The factsheet says the expansion does not apply to them.
2. Do not write a kinship example. None is in the factsheet.
3. The culture definition in subsection 4(1) was not opened. The lawyer reads it before applying the test.

## Notes

- These are suggested working checks. Confirm the required checking with the responsible lawyer before work starts; the checking approach does not establish permission to use AI.

## Sources

- [Attorney-General's Department, Family Law Amendment Act 2023 factsheet for professionals](https://www.ag.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-06/family-law-amendment-act-2023-factsheet-for-professionals.PDF) (checked 2026-10-22)

## Jurisdiction versions

| Jurisdiction | Level |
| --- | --- |
| [United States](https://ailawframework.com/practice/family-law/apply-the-expanded-family-definitions-for-an-aboriginal-or-torres-strait/united-states.md) | Yellow |

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*