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.

In 2021, there were about 4.1 marriages per 1,000 Australian residents in Tasmania, Australia. In contrast, there were just 2.8 marriages per 1,000 Australian residents in the Australian Capital Territory.

In 2020, there were 41.52 thousand marriages registered in Australia where both partners were born in Australia. This value was slightly lower than the previous year. Relatively fewer marriages were registered where both partners belonged to the same overseas country.

This map shows the percentage of the population that is married. Data is available for Country, Greater Capital City Statistical Area (GCCSA), Local Government Area (LGA), Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1) and 2 (SA2), and State Suburb (SSC) boundaries.This map contains layers that contain some of the more commonly used variables from the General Community Profile information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 census. Data is available for Country, Greater Capital City Statistical Area (GCCSA), Local Government Area (LGA), Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1) and 2 (SA2), and Suburb and Localities (SAL) boundaries.The General Community Profile contains a series of tables showing the characteristics of persons, families and dwellings in a selected geographic area. The data is based on place of usual residence (that is, where people usually live, rather than where they were counted on Census night). Community Profiles are excellent tools for researching, planning and analysing geographic areas for a number of social, economic and demographic characteristics.Download the data here.Data and Geography notes:View the Readme files located in the DataPacks and GeoPackages zip files.To access the 2021 DataPacks, visit https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/datapacksGlossary terms and definitions of classifications can be found in the 2021 Census DictionaryMore information about Census data products is available at https://www.abs.gov.au/census/guide-census-data/about-census-tools/datapacksDetailed geography information: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/main-structure-and-greater-capital-city-statistical-areas: 2021 Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1), 2021 Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), 2021 Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSA), 2021 Australia (AUS)https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/non-abs-structures: 2021 Suburbs and Localities (SAL), 2021 Local Government Areas (LGA)Please note that there are data assumptions that should be considered when analysing the ABS Census data. These are detailed within the Census documents referenced above. These include:Registered Marital StatusIn December 2017, amendments to the Marriage Act 1961 came into effect enabling marriage equality for all couples. For 2021, registered marriages include all couples.Core Activity Need for AssistanceMeasures the number of people with a profound or severe core activity limitation. People with a profound or severe core activity limitation are those needing assistance in their day to day lives in one or more of the three core activity areas of self-care, mobility and communication because of a long-term health condition (lasting six months or more), a disability (lasting six months or more), or old age. Number of Motor VehiclesExcludes motorbikes, motor scooters and heavy vehicles.Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals.Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

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.

This web map contains layers that contain some of the more commonly used variables from the General Community Profile information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 census. Data is available for Country, Greater Capital City Statistical Area (GCCSA), Local Government Area (LGA), Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1) and 2 (SA2), and Suburb and Localities (SAL) boundaries.The General Community Profile contains a series of tables showing the characteristics of persons, families and dwellings in a selected geographic area. The data is based on place of usual residence (that is, where people usually live, rather than where they were counted on Census night). Community Profiles are excellent tools for researching, planning and analysing geographic areas for a number of social, economic and demographic characteristics.Download the data here.Data and Geography notes:View the Readme files located in the DataPacks and GeoPackages zip files.To access the 2021 DataPacks, visit https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/datapacksGlossary terms and definitions of classifications can be found in the 2021 Census DictionaryMore information about Census data products is available at https://www.abs.gov.au/census/guide-census-data/about-census-tools/datapacksDetailed geography information: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/main-structure-and-greater-capital-city-statistical-areas: 2021 Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1), 2021 Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), 2021 Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSA), 2021 Australia (AUS)https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/australian-statistical-geography-standard-asgs-edition-3/jul2021-jun2026/non-abs-structures: 2021 Suburbs and Localities (SAL), 2021 Local Government Areas (LGA)Please note that there are data assumptions that should be considered when analysing the ABS Census data. These are detailed within the Census documents referenced above. These include:Registered Marital StatusIn December 2017, amendments to the Marriage Act 1961 came into effect enabling marriage equality for all couples. For 2021, registered marriages include all couples.Core Activity Need for AssistanceMeasures the number of people with a profound or severe core activity limitation. People with a profound or severe core activity limitation are those needing assistance in their day to day lives in one or more of the three core activity areas of self-care, mobility and communication because of a long-term health condition (lasting six months or more), a disability (lasting six months or more), or old age. Number of Motor VehiclesExcludes motorbikes, motor scooters and heavy vehicles.Please note that there are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals.Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

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 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.

Yearly registered marriages categorised by suburb. Data is limited to cell counts >5.

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.

Yearly registered marriages – breakdown by Month

In 2023, approximately 118,439 marriages were registered in Australia. This marked a slight decrease in the number of marriages across the country compared to the previous year.

This report analyses the number of divorces. In Australia, divorces can only be granted when a marriage has suffered an irretrievable breakdown. Partners must be separated for 12 months prior to applying for divorce, and there must be no reasonable likelihood of reconciliation. The data for this report is sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and represents the number of divorces per calendar year. Divorce statistics are supplied to the ABS by the Family Court of Australia.

Civilian Population: Not Married: 15 Years & Over: Female data was reported at 5,045.065 Person th in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5,062.344 Person th for Jan 2025. Civilian Population: Not Married: 15 Years & Over: Female data is updated monthly, averaging 3,332.626 Person th from Feb 1978 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 565 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5,080.066 Person th in Jul 2024 and a record low of 1,990.907 Person th in Feb 1978. Civilian Population: Not Married: 15 Years & Over: Female 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.

SA2 based data for Social Marital Status by Age by Sex, in General Community Profile (GCP), 2016 Census. Count of persons aged 15 years and over in the following categories: married in a registered marriage, married in a de facto marriage (including same-sex couples), and not married. Excludes persons in 'Visitors only' and 'Other non-classifiable' households, 'Non-private dwellings', and 'Migratory, off-shore and shipping' SA1s. Excludes persons who were temporarily absent on Census Night. The data is by SA2 2016 boundaries. Periodicity: 5-Yearly. Note: There are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals. For more information visit the data source: http://www.abs.gov.au/census.

GCCSA based data for Social Marital Status by Age by Sex, in Place of Enumeration Profile (PEP), 2016 Census. Count of persons aged 15 years and over in the following categories: married in a registered marriage, married in a de facto marriage (including same-sex couples), and not married. Excludes overseas visitors. Excludes persons in 'Visitors only' and 'Other non-classifiable' households, 'Non-private dwellings', and 'Migratory, off-shore and shipping' SA1s. Excludes persons who were temporarily absent on Census Night. The data is by GCCSA 2016 boundaries. Periodicity: 5-Yearly. Note: There are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals. For more information visit the data source: http://www.abs.gov.au/census.

LGA based data for Social Marital Status by Age by Sex, in Place of Enumeration Profile (PEP), 2016 Census. Count of persons aged 15 years and over in the following categories: married in a registered marriage, married in a de facto marriage (including same-sex couples), and not married. Excludes overseas visitors. Excludes persons in 'Visitors only' and 'Other non-classifiable' households, 'Non-private dwellings', and 'Migratory, off-shore and shipping' SA1s. Excludes persons who were temporarily absent on Census Night. The data is by LGA 2016 boundaries. Periodicity: 5-Yearly. Note: There are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals. For more information visit the data source: http://www.abs.gov.au/census.

SA1 based data for Social Marital Status by Age by Sex, in Place of Enumeration Profile (PEP), 2016 Census. Count of persons aged 15 years and over in the following categories: married in a registered marriage, married in a de facto marriage (including same-sex couples), and not married. Excludes overseas visitors. Excludes persons in 'Visitors only' and 'Other non-classifiable' households, 'Non-private dwellings', and 'Migratory, off-shore and shipping' SA1s. Excludes persons who were temporarily absent on Census Night. The data is by SA1 2016 boundaries. Periodicity: 5-Yearly. Note: There are small random adjustments made to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from table totals. For more information visit the data source: http://www.abs.gov.au/census.

A data visualisation of the YES vote in the Nov 2017 Same Sex Marriage Survey.##How toTo create this data visualisation, save the csv file, and drag it onto the map at: http://nationalmap.gov.au/.Select between raw number of yes votes, and percent who voted yes. The image shows percent who voted yes.You can scroll and zoom in to Federal electorates. Click on an electorate to see the data for that electorate.ABS data from: Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey 2017 - Response.xls (at abs.gov.au).

In 2023, approximately 39 thousand couples got married in New South Wales, Australia. In the same year, just over 1.5 thousand marriages were registered in the Australian Capital Territory.