Omari Gates
Marriage rates in Australia have been declining since 1970, with a brief period of stabilisation in the early 2000s. The Covid-19 pandemic and associated restrictions further impacted marriage rates, with a 31.9% drop in marriages between January and June 2020 compared to the previous five-year average. In 2022, the crude marriage rate was 6.1 marriages per 1,000 eligible individuals (aged 16 and over), an increase from the previous two years, but still lower than the rates before 2015. The median age at marriage has also increased, with men marrying at an average age of 32.5 and women at 30.9 in 2022.
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What You'll Learn
Marriage rate decline
Marriage rates in Australia have been declining for several decades. From 1970 to 2000, the proportion of Australians getting married fell steadily, with a brief period of stabilisation before falling again. Civil marriages have also become more common than religious marriages since the 1970s, with 78% of marriages performed by civil celebrants by 2017.
There are several factors contributing to the decline in marriage rates. Firstly, there has been a shift in social attitudes towards marriage in Australia. The stigma associated with "living in sin" has eroded, and it has become socially acceptable for couples to live together, co-parent children, and access similar legal and social rights without being married. This includes de facto couples, who enjoy similar property rights and social security benefits as married couples.
Secondly, the median age at marriage has been increasing. In 1999, the median age of marriage for males was 30.1, while for females, it was 27.9. By 2019, these numbers had increased to 32.3 and 31.5, respectively. This delay in marriage may be influenced by factors such as pursuing education, establishing careers, or changing social norms.
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted marriage rates in Australia. From January to June 2020, there was a 31.9% drop in registered marriages compared to the previous five-year averages for the same period. The pandemic and lockdowns may have caused a delay in wedding plans or financial constraints that hindered marriage plans.
Furthermore, the institution of marriage itself has evolved, with a growing acceptance of alternative relationship models. For example, same-sex marriages were legalised in Australia in 2017, contributing to a shift in societal views on marriage.
While the marriage rate has declined, it is important to note that the divorce rate has also generally declined since the early 2000s. This could be due to the decline in the number of marriages and the exploration of alternative relationship models, such as de facto relationships.
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Changing social attitudes
There has been a fundamental shift in social attitudes towards marriage in Australia. In mainstream Australian society, the social stigma attached to "living in sin" has almost completely eroded. It is now common for couples to live together and co-parent children outside of marriage. The decline in the social pressure to marry is also due to the fact that a committed couple has similar legal and social rights as a married couple. For example, a de facto couple can access the same property rights and similar social security and taxation benefits as a married couple.
The proportion of Australians marrying fell steadily from 1970 to 2000, after which it stabilised for a decade before falling again. The median age at marriage has also increased, with men marrying at an average age of 32.5 and women at 30.9 in 2022. This is in contrast to 1999, when the median age of marriage for men was 30.1 and 27.9 for women. The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions also had a significant impact on marriage in Australia, with only 37,813 marriages registered in the first six months of 2020, a 31.9% drop compared to the averages in the corresponding six-month periods in the previous five years.
Civil marriage in Australia became more common than religious marriage in the 1970s and has been more prevalent ever since. By 2000, there were more marriages performed by civil celebrants than by ministers of religion, and by 2017, 78% of marriages were performed by civil celebrants.
Same-sex marriage was legalised in Australia on December 9, 2017, with 6,538 unions registered in the following year. While same-sex marriages rose in 2022, the figures did not surpass those from 2018 and 2019. Interestingly, same-sex marriages seem to have strong unions, as divorce rates show that less than 1% of these marriages end in divorce.
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Divorce rates
Australia's divorce rate has been declining since the early 2000s, with the exception of 2021. The number of divorces has generally been between 45,000 and 50,000, while the crude divorce rate has dropped to between 2.0 and 2.5 (2.4 in 2022). In 2023, the crude divorce rate was 2.3 divorces per 1,000 Australian residents, the lowest level since the mid-1970s. The decline in divorce rates is attributed to the decline in marriage rates, with fewer people choosing to marry and instead turning to alternatives like de facto relationships.
The median age at divorce has increased over the years, with men and women divorcing at older ages. In 2022, the median age at divorce for men was 46.7 years, while for women, it was 43.7 years. The increase in the median age at divorce is attributed to people marrying at older ages and the slight increase in the median marriage duration. In 2023, the median age at divorce was 47.1 years for men and 44.1 years for women.
Women are more likely than men to be divorced in Australia, with a peak divorce rate of 10.4 for women aged 40 to 44 years. For men, the highest divorce rate by age was 10.3 in the 40 to 44 and 45 to 49 age groups. The proportion of divorces involving children under 18 has declined since the 1970s but has stabilised in the last decade.
While the introduction of no-fault divorce in 1976 led to a surge in divorces, the rate has decreased since then. The decline in divorce rates is complex and may be influenced by various factors, including financial constraints, housing affordability, and the avoidance of legal processes, resulting in separations that are not officially recorded.
It is estimated that 44% of marriages in Australia end in divorce, with second marriages more likely to fail than first marriages. Up to 60% of second marriages end in divorce. However, divorce rates do not necessarily indicate the success or failure of marriages, as individuals may choose to separate without legally divorcing.
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Marriage alternatives
Marriage rates in Australia have been declining since 1970, with a brief period of stabilisation before falling again. The median marriage age has also risen over the last five years to 32.5 years for men and 30.9 years for women. The crude marriage rate for 2022 was 6.1 marriages per 1,000 eligible individuals (aged 16 and over), which is an increase from the previous five years, but still lower than the rates before 2015.
With the decline in marriage rates, there has been a shift towards alternative ways of committing to a partner. These alternatives are varied and dynamic, ranging from domestic partnerships to polyamorous relationships. Here are some of the most common alternatives to traditional marriage:
Domestic Partnerships
Domestic partnerships are legally recognised in some places and provide a formal way for two individuals to commit to each other without entering into a traditional marriage. Domestic partners live together and share a domestic life, and have certain legal rights and responsibilities, such as inheritance rights, hospital visitation rights, and access to healthcare benefits. The level of legal protection is not as extensive as in traditional marriages, but it offers a more flexible framework for committed relationships.
Civil Unions
Civil unions were originally introduced as a way for same-sex couples to gain legal recognition when marriage was not an option. Now, civil unions are still available in some places for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples who prefer a legal alternative to marriage. Civil unions can sometimes be converted into marriages if the couple desires.
Common-Law Marriages
Common-law marriages are legally recognised in some jurisdictions and provide similar rights and responsibilities as traditional marriages. The hallmarks of a common-law marriage typically include shared finances, property, cohabitation for a minimum period, and sometimes children or pets.
Polyamorous Relationships
Polyamorous relationships involve individuals in multiple relationships simultaneously. This alternative to monogamy can take many different forms and may include married partners.
These alternatives to marriage provide individuals with more freedom and independence, while still offering the security and support of a committed relationship. It's important to note that the legal recognition of these alternatives may vary depending on the jurisdiction, so it's crucial for couples to understand the unique benefits, responsibilities, and limitations of each option.
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Marriage by state
Marriage rates in Australia have been declining since 1970, with fewer people choosing to marry. This is reflected in the crude marriage rate, which is the number of marriages per 1,000 adult Australians. While it increased in 2022 to 6.1 marriages per 1,000 eligible individuals (aged 16 and over), it had been gradually declining in the years prior.
The Australian Capital Territory has the lowest rate of marriage of all the states analysed, with just 3.1 weddings per 1,000 people each year. The Australian Capital Territory also has the highest divorce rate in the country, with 2.5 separations per 1,000 people annually.
Tasmania has the second-highest marriage rate in the country, tied with Western Australia, with 4.4 marriages per 1,000 people each year. It also has the joint third-lowest divorce rate, with 1.7 per thousand per year.
Queensland has a relatively high crude divorce rate of 2.7 per 1,000 people, and it has been consistently higher than that of other states and territories. In 2025, the latest ABS data recorded 25,014 marriages in Queensland.
New South Wales (NSW) has the highest number of divorces in 2022, with 14,661 divorce applications, the highest count compared to any other state that year.
Victoria has the highest rate of single adults, with 32% having never been married. However, the state experienced a significant increase in marriage numbers in 2022, with a 77% increase attributed to post-COVID recoveries.
South Australia has the highest percentage of married or partnered adults at 59%.
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Frequently asked questions
The marriage rate in Australia has been in decline since 1970, with a brief period of stabilisation until 2000. In 2022, the crude marriage rate was 6.1 marriages per 1,000 eligible individuals (aged 16 and over).
The number of divorces granted has been declining since the early 2000s, with the number of divorces sitting between 45,000 and 50,000. In 2021, 56,244 divorces were granted, and the crude divorce rate was 2.4 per 1,000 Australian residents.
The average age of marriage in Australia has increased over the past two decades. In 2022, the median age of marriage was 32.5 years for men and 30.9 years for women.
There has been a shift in social attitudes towards marriage in Australia. The stigma attached to "living in sin" has eroded, and there is less pressure to marry as de facto couples have similar legal and social rights as married couples.
