[header] How to get a divorce in australia [title] Separate for a period of 12 months or more. [step] This is a requirement under section 48 (2) family law act. You must have lived both separately and apart for at least 12 months. 
[substeps] One party must consider the marriage to be over and to have communicated this to the other spouse. It is possible to be separated but still live under the same roof but you will need to prove this to the judge.