Australian Family Law Act 1975
         Part VII -- Children
         Division 5 -- Custody and Guardianship of Children

         [s 63F]  Rights of Custody and guardianship of children.

         (1)      Subject to any order of a court for the time being in
                  force (whether or not made under this Act and whether
                  made before or after the commencement of this section),
                  each of the parents have the joint custody of the child.

         (2)      An order shall not be made under this Part in relation
                  to the custody or guardianship of, or access to, a child
                  who has attained 18 years of age or is or has been
                  married.

         (3)      An order made under this Part in relation to the custody
                  or guardianship or access to , a child ceases to be in
                  force when the child attains 18 years of age or marries.

         (4)      An order made under this Part in relation to the custody
                  or guardianship of, or access to, a child ceases to be
                  in force if the child is adopted by a person who is not
                  a parent of the child.

         (5)      On the death of a parent in whose favour an order has
                  been made under this Part for the custody of a child:

                  (a)   the other parent is entitled to the custody of the
                        child only if the court so orders;

                  (b)   the other parent or another person may make an
                        application to the court for an order placing the
                        child in the custody of the applicant; and

                  (c)   in an application under paragraph (b) by a person
                        who does not, at the time of the application, have
                        the care and control of the child, any person who
                        at that time, has the care and control of the
                        child is entitled to be a party to the
                        proceedings.