Australia will legalise same-sex marriage after House of Representatives passed the changes to the Marriage Act with an overwhelming majority.

"What a day for love, for equality, for respect," said Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. "Australia has done it."

The legislation comes eight days after the legislation was approved by the senate and Australia's governor-general is expected to approve the bill in the coming days, making it law.

After this, same-sex couples will then be allowed to register to marry and will be able to marry after 30 days.

Prominent LGBT activist and lawmaker Penny Wong said: “Equality is a remarkably persistent principle. It is a defining principle, a principle that springs from the simple and powerful precept of the inherent dignity of every individual, of every human being, and so it has been through human history. The aspiration for equality is the hallmark of our progress."