The average age at which Australians got married for the first time increased for both men and women between 1997 and 2021. As of 2021, males who married for the first time were on average 30.8 years old, while females were on average slightly younger at 29.4 years old.

first time marriage

Wedding bells chime

The most popular months to get married in 2017 were October and November, with many Australians opting to have their wedding in spring. In fact, over 20 percent of couples chose their wedding date based on a preference for a specific season.

In 2017, amendments to the Marriage Act meant that same-sex couples in Australia could also get legally married. This may change marriage figures in the years immediately following, with many long-term same-sex couples choosing to get married with this law change.

Happily ever after?

While the average age of first marriages has increased, the number of Australians tying the knot has decreased, with the crude marriage rate decreasing continuously across the country. The divorce rate has decreased over the years, largely related to the reduction in the number of marriages overall. In 2017, almost half of all divorces in Australia involved children; this share has not changed significantly over the past five years.

In 2022, the average female age at marriage was 27.5 years in Australia. The average at separation from their married partner was 39.8 years, and for divorce, the average age was 43.7 years.

Civilian Population: Married: 15 Years & Over: Female: 25-29 Years data was reported at 516.832 Person th in Feb 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 504.036 Person th for Jan 2025. Civilian Population: Married: 15 Years & Over: Female: 25-29 Years data is updated monthly, averaging 456.435 Person th from Feb 1978 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 565 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 541.084 Person th in Jun 2018 and a record low of 370.341 Person th in Nov 2004. Civilian Population: Married: 15 Years & Over: Female: 25-29 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.G001: Civilian Population: by Age, Sex and Status.

In 2022, the average male age at marriage was 29.8 years in Australia. The average at separation from their married partner was 42.6 years, and for divorce, the average age was 46.7 years.

In 2022, there were about 6.1 marriages per 1,000 residents in Australia. A decade before, the crude marriage rate was at the lower rate of 5.4 per 1,000 country residents.

Civilian Population: Married: 15 Years & Over: 25-34 Years data was reported at 2,297.915 Person th in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2,304.223 Person th for Feb 2025. Civilian Population: Married: 15 Years & Over: 25-34 Years data is updated monthly, averaging 1,812.748 Person th from Feb 1978 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 566 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,304.223 Person th in Feb 2025 and a record low of 1,670.657 Person th in Jul 1999. Civilian Population: Married: 15 Years & Over: 25-34 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.G001: Civilian Population: by Age, Sex and Status.

Civilian Population: Married: 15 Years & Over: Male: 65 Years & Over data was reported at 1,569.677 Person th in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,570.447 Person th for Feb 2025. Civilian Population: Married: 15 Years & Over: Male: 65 Years & Over data is updated monthly, averaging 780.214 Person th from Feb 1978 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 566 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,570.447 Person th in Feb 2025 and a record low of 401.438 Person th in Feb 1978. Civilian Population: Married: 15 Years & Over: Male: 65 Years & Over data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.G001: Civilian Population: by Age, Sex and Status.

In 2021, the median length from marriage to separation in Australia was 8.4 years. In the same year, the median duration of marriage to divorce was 12.2 years.

Civilian Population: Married: 15 Years & Over: Male: 25-29 Years data was reported at 408.303 Person th in Feb 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 404.172 Person th for Jan 2025. Civilian Population: Married: 15 Years & Over: Male: 25-29 Years data is updated monthly, averaging 367.696 Person th from Feb 1978 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 565 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 415.057 Person th in Jun 2023 and a record low of 294.024 Person th in Nov 2004. Civilian Population: Married: 15 Years & Over: Male: 25-29 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.G001: Civilian Population: by Age, Sex and Status.

Civilian Population: Married: 15 Years & Over: 15-24 Years data was reported at 270.273 Person th in Feb 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 252.050 Person th for Jan 2025. Civilian Population: Married: 15 Years & Over: 15-24 Years data is updated monthly, averaging 355.709 Person th from Feb 1978 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 565 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 513.954 Person th in May 1978 and a record low of 243.703 Person th in Nov 2024. Civilian Population: Married: 15 Years & Over: 15-24 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.G001: Civilian Population: by Age, Sex and Status.

Civilian Population: Married: 15 Years & Over: 50-54 Years data was reported at 1,195.207 Person th in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,197.549 Person th for Jan 2025. Civilian Population: Married: 15 Years & Over: 50-54 Years data is updated monthly, averaging 992.344 Person th from Feb 1978 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 565 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,220.687 Person th in Feb 2024 and a record low of 588.046 Person th in Sep 1985. Civilian Population: Married: 15 Years & Over: 50-54 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.G001: Civilian Population: by Age, Sex and Status.

Civilian Population: Married: 15 Years & Over: 35-44 Years data was reported at 2,951.861 Person th in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 2,928.702 Person th for Feb 2025. Civilian Population: Married: 15 Years & Over: 35-44 Years data is updated monthly, averaging 2,201.080 Person th from Feb 1978 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 566 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,951.861 Person th in Mar 2025 and a record low of 1,407.763 Person th in May 1978. Civilian Population: Married: 15 Years & Over: 35-44 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.G001: Civilian Population: by Age, Sex and Status.

Civilian Population: Not Married: 15 Years & Over data was reported at 9,727.998 Person th in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 9,764.996 Person th for Jan 2025. Civilian Population: Not Married: 15 Years & Over data is updated monthly, averaging 6,284.264 Person th from Feb 1978 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 565 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9,764.996 Person th in Jan 2025 and a record low of 3,839.425 Person th in Feb 1978. Civilian Population: Not Married: 15 Years & Over data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.G001: Civilian Population: by Age, Sex and Status.

Civilian Population: Not Married: 15 Years & Over: Male: 15-24 Years data was reported at 1,709.509 Person th in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,699.298 Person th for Feb 2025. Civilian Population: Not Married: 15 Years & Over: Male: 15-24 Years data is updated monthly, averaging 1,263.165 Person th from Feb 1978 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 566 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,709.509 Person th in Mar 2025 and a record low of 1,082.442 Person th in Apr 1978. Civilian Population: Not Married: 15 Years & Over: Male: 15-24 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.G001: Civilian Population: by Age, Sex and Status.

Civilian Population: Not Married: 15 Years & Over: Female: 40-44 Years data was reported at 222.485 Person th in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 233.748 Person th for Jan 2025. Civilian Population: Not Married: 15 Years & Over: Female: 40-44 Years data is updated monthly, averaging 183.737 Person th from Feb 1978 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 565 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 239.440 Person th in Apr 2018 and a record low of 52.044 Person th in Feb 1978. Civilian Population: Not Married: 15 Years & Over: Female: 40-44 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.G001: Civilian Population: by Age, Sex and Status.