To obtain a court order for maintenance under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), the person applying for it will generally have to prove that he or she is unable to work and cannot support him or herself properly because of old age or sickness, the need to care for children or some other reason [see s 72(1) for married relationships and s 90SF(1)(b) for de facto relationships]. In addition, they will have to prove that their former partner is reasonably able to pay the maintenance [see ss 72(1) and 90SF(1)(a)].

In South Australia, changes to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) to enable a claim for maintenance between parties to de facto relationships (including same-sex de facto relationships), took effect on 1 July 2010.

In deciding whether to make a maintenance order the court is required to take into account the following factors [see s 75(2) for married relationships and s 90SF(3) for de facto relationships]:

How much an applicant will be entitled to receive in maintenance after considering these factors will depend upon the individual circumstances of the case. Where an applicant's capacity to earn has been reduced as a result of a long period out of the workforce during the relationship, they may be awarded maintenance to cover a period of retraining or job seeking. Where they cannot support themselves due to health problems, and the other party has the capacity to support them, maintenance may also be ordered. Maintenance is less likely with short marriages, or where each party has retained the capacity to earn a living.

Maintenance claims can be resolved separately or at the same time as a property settlement, either by financial agreement or court order. In making property settlement orders, it is usual for the court to specify whether any and what amount is paid as maintenance [see s 77A for married relationships and s 90SH for de facto relationships]. These orders bring claims for maintenance to an end.

A payment can be made in a lump sum, or by periodic payments. An order for periodic payments of maintenance can be registered for collection with Services Australia - Child Support.

A maintenance order will generally cease either:

A continuation order may be made in (rare) cases, where, for example, a spouse was formerly married to a wealthy spouse and subsequently marries a spouse in poor health or poor financial circumstances.