Latest ABS figures on marriage – as we used to know it

The age of couples marrying for the first time has risen over the past 20 years:

Year                Bride                                     Groom

1996                 25.7 years                                 27.8 years

2016                 28.7 years                                 30.3 years.

Statistics do not show trends in who pays for the wedding. In 2016 64% of couples lived together prior to marrying.  This increased to 80% in 2016.

The research also shows that over the past 20 years, the number of divorces granted peaked in 2001 at 55,330.  In 2016 the number of divorces decreased by 16%, to 46,604 and that those who were divorcing were staying married longer than in 1996.

At the time of writing this article, the Senate had just passed the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017 (“the Bill”) with 43 members in favour and 12 against.

The Bill proposes to amend the definition of marriage in the Marriage Act 1961 (Cth) to provide that marriage is between two people.   The Bill will now go before the House of Representatives for a final vote.

Mark Sullivan is a Director and Accredited Specialist at Mullane & Lindsay Solicitors and practices extensively in Family, Relationship and Matrimonial Law. If you require any assistance in this area please contact Mark Sullivan to arrange a consultation or contact our Newcastle offic