A recent development in de facto family law has seen an expansion of the eligibility of parties in Australia to spousal maintenance. Pursuant to the Family Law Amendment (De Facto Financial Matters and other measures) Act 2008 (Cth), a person of a de facto relationship that separated on or from 1 March 2009 may be entitled to receive spousal maintenance.Spousal maintenance is predicated upon the minimisation of disparities between the earning capacities or incomes of parties in consideration of their respective circumstances and needs.