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Location: Home  »  Families and Children  » Marriage and Divorce

Marriage and Divorce

Since the introduction of the Family Law Act 1975 in 1976, there have been substantial changes in Australians' living arrangements. However, the lower registered marriage rate and increased divorce rate have been at least partially counterbalanced by the increase in the social marriage rate.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes data on marriage and divorce in Marriages, Australia (Cat. No. 3306.0.55.001) and Divorces, Australia (Cat. No. 3307.0.55.001).

In 2003 there were 106,400 marriages registered in Australia, an increase of 960 when compared with 2002, and continuing the increase in the number of marriages since the low of 103,120 in 2001. The crude marriage rate (per 1,000 of population) was 5.4 in 2003, down from 6.4 in 1993 and 7.5 in 1983. The median age at first marriage for women has increased from 25 years in 1993 to 27 years in 2003. In 2003, 75% of couples cohabited prior to marriage, compared to 16% in 1975.

There were 53,100 divorces granted in Australia in 2003, a decrease of 2% from the 54,000 divorces granted in 2002. The crude divorce rate (the number of divorces per 1,000 population) was 2.7 per 1,000 in 2002 and 2003, and 2.8 per 1,000 in 1983. The median age of women at dovorce has increased from 36.4 years in 1993 to 39.9 years in 2003. The median duration of marriage to the time parties separate has increased from 7.6 years in 1993 to 8.7 years in 2003.