# Membership of a particular social group other than family

> act-s5L — as in force on 2026-06-04 — C2026C00232 · Compilation No. 171 — https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2026C00232/latest/text

5L Membership of a particular social group other than family
               For the purposes of the application of this Act and the regulations
               to a particular person, the person is to be treated as a member of a
               particular social group (other than the person’s family) if:
                 (a) a characteristic is shared by each member of the group; and
                 (b) the person shares, or is perceived as sharing, the
                     characteristic; and
                 (c) any of the following apply:
                       (i) the characteristic is an innate or immutable
                           characteristic;
                      (ii) the characteristic is so fundamental to a member’s
                           identity or conscience, the member should not be forced
                           to renounce it;
                     (iii) the characteristic distinguishes the group from society;
                           and
                 (d) the characteristic is not a fear of persecution.