Australian gay and lesbian couples could be legally obliged to pay child support and would be given access rights to their children if their relationship ends, under recommendations to be considered by the Federal Government.

A Senate committee has urged the Government to give legal recognition to the non-biological parent in a same-sex relationship as part of amendments being made to family legislation, reports The Age.

Currently, if a lesbian couple has a child, the non-biological mother is not recognised under federal law as the child's parent, whereas Child Support Agency guidelines regarding children born through assisted reproductive technology recognise the non-biological parent in a heterosexual couple as a legal parent.

A Government bill to amend the Family Law Act to provide heterosexual and same-sex de facto couples access to the Family Court on property and financial matters was referred to a Senate committee in June.

Last week, the committee recommended it be passed but proposed further amendments in the best interests of children.