Under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), do stepparents have an automatic right or duty to discipline a partner's child or to make day-to-day decisions about the child's health and welfare?

• A. Yes, they have an automatic right.
• B. Only if the court orders it.
• C. No, not automatic.
• D. Only in cases where there is a formal agreement.

Answer: (C)

Under the Family Law Act, the duties, powers, responsibilities and authority to make decisions about a child’s welfare—the parental responsibility—belong to the child’s parents or legal guardians by default. Stepparents do not automatically acquire this status merely by being in a relationship with the parent. If a stepparent is to have any say in discipline or day-to-day health and welfare decisions, a court must grant parental responsibility to them (or the parties must reach a binding agreement that assigns those powers). Without a court order or formal agreement, there is no automatic authority for a stepparent to make such decisions.