The laws would extend the definition of a de facto relationship to include same-sex couples and allow homosexuals to leave superannuation entitlements to partners.

The Bills also guarantee equality in tax, social security, health, aged care and employment.

They are part of an election commitment to act on the recommendations of a landmark 2007 report by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.

Labor senator Penny Wong, who is openly gay, said the laws would deliver the sort of equality before the law that same-sex couples have never experienced.

''They [the Bills] deliver on a very important election commitment on an important day for us,'' she told the Senate.

Uniting Care Australia's national director Lin Hatfield Dodds applauded the Bills, saying it was ''about time'' they were passed.

''These Bills are about citizens having equality before the law,'' she said. ''They should cut across party lines, because it's about respecting the inherent dignity of each person, and ensuring under the law there is opportunity for each person to express their sex and not be penalised for that.''

Liberal senator George Brandis said it was a historic day that signified an end to law reforms more than 40 years in the making.

Australian Greens leader Bob Brown, also openly gay and a long-time campaigner for same-sex rights, congratulated the Government for putting the legislation before Parliament within 12 months of its election. with AAP