Marriage and divorce rates across NSW – what the latest trends tell us

Marriage and divorce data can tell us a lot about how our society and culture are changing. It reveals not just how many people are getting married or divorced, but also broader trends in relationships, family life and the way Australians are choosing to live.

In Australia, the data shows that 2024 saw the lowest national divorce rate since the Family Law Act’s no-fault divorce came into operation in 1975. At the same time, Aussies are also getting married later in life, and more couples are living together before tying the knot, making de facto relationships increasingly common.

Do similar trends hold true for the state of NSW? Let’s take a closer look.

Marriage in NSW?

If wedding season seemed particularly busy in New South Wales recently, the data backs that up. In 2024, NSW recorded the highest marriage rate in Australia, with 5.8 marriages for every 1,000 residents aged 16 years and over.

It was also one of only three states to experience an increase in marriages between 2023 and 2024. The state also had the second-highest increase, with 641 (1.6%) more marriages than the year before.

While that doesn’t necessarily signal the start of a long-term trend, it does suggest that marriage remains a popular choice for many couples across the state, despite the growing number of Australians choosing to live in de facto relationships.

One thing to keep in mind is that these figures are based on where a marriage is registered, not where the couple lives. For example, a couple from Queensland who marry in Sydney will be included in the NSW statistics.

How NSW compares to the rest of Australia

New South Wales wasn’t just the most populous state in 2024. It also recorded more marriages than anywhere else in Australia, with 39,659 marriages registered in 2024.

NSW was one of only three jurisdictions, alongside Victoria and Western Australia, to record an increase in marriages compared with 2023. Meanwhile, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory all experienced a slight decline.

Across Australia as a whole, 120,844 marriages were registered in 2024. The national marriage rate remained steady at 5.5 marriages per 1,000 people, suggesting that after the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, marriage rates have largely returned to pre-pandemic levels.

While Australians are generally marrying later in life and more couples are choosing to live together before marriage, the latest figures suggest that marriage remains an important milestone for many people across the country.

Number of marriages by state or territory of registration

Source: ABS

Who’s getting married?

Across Australia, couples are getting married later in life, and the gap between the median ages of each gender has also been decreasing. This isn’t a new change. Since the mid-1970s, couples have been delaying their first marriages, but the data today shows that, for the most part, this downward trajectory has continued.

Around two decades ago, Australians were marrying on average in their late 20s, with median ages closer to 27–28 for men and 25–26 for women. The median marrying age for Aussies in 2024 was 32.8 years for males and 31.2 years for females.

Marriages for couples of the same or non-binary gender have also been increasing in recent years. There were 4,746 marriages registered in 2024 – a 4.1% increase from the year before.

When are people getting married?

Most NSW marriages registered in 2024 took place in October (4,684), followed by November (4,672). Getting married in spring and autumn is the most popular across Australia, too. Across Australia, the most popular date to marry in 2024 was 24th February, with 1,773 couples tying the knot that day.

It’s probably no surprise that the least popular months to get married are mid-winter and mid-summer, with July having 2,019 registered marriages and January 2,339.

What’s the national average divorce rate?

The picture is similar when it comes to divorce. Nationally, the divorce rate was 2.1 divorces per 1,000 people in 2024. This was a decrease from the year before, when the rate was 2.3 per 1,000 people. In terms of the number of divorces granted, there were 47,216 divorces in Australia in 2024, compared to 48,700 in 2023.

It’s worth remembering, though, that these figures only capture couples who have legally divorced, not those who have separated but haven’t yet formalised the end of their marriage. As a result, the number of relationship breakdowns is likely to be higher than the divorce statistics alone suggest.

Looking specifically at NSW, the state recorded the most divorces formalised in 2024, at 14,036.

How long do marriages last before divorce?

One of the clearest trends in the data is that Australians are staying married for longer before separating or divorcing. In the latest recorded year, 2024, the median length of a marriage before divorce was 13.2 years. A similar trend was shown for marriage to separation, which stood at 9.3 years in 2024.

The age of people getting divorced is also increasing. In 2024, the median age at divorce was 47.1 years for men, compared to 44.1 years for women. This figure held steady for both genders from 2023 and had slowly increased every year since 2020.

It’s interesting to note that the divorce rate declines with increasing age, across both genders. While divorce rates generally become lower as people get older, divorces among people aged 50 and over have become increasingly common in recent years. This trend is sometimes referred to as ‘grey divorce’.

Another noticeable shift is that fewer divorces now involve children under the age of 18. In 1975, around 68% of divorces involved dependent children. Since 2014, that figure has remained closer to 47%. There are likely several reasons for this, including Australians having children later in life and separating before they have children, lower fertility rates and couples remaining married for longer before deciding to separate.

Why are divorce rates falling?

There are many possible factors contributing to the decline in the national divorce rate. These include:

• Fewer couples choosing to marry – less of a societal expectation
• Couples choosing to marry later in life, cohabiting as a de facto first, then separating before marriage
• Cost-of-living pressures and other personal reasons are leading to couples separating but avoiding the legal process of divorce

What this means if you’re separating in NSW

We understand that the divorce process can feel complex and daunting. But having a trusted legal expert on your side can help you to navigate the steps with clarity and confidence. A family law expert will work with you to resolve issues arising from your separation amicably, wherever possible. This will enable you to move forward with your life rather than remain trapped in an unhappy or unwanted marriage.

Thinking about separation? Talk to Watts McCray

While you’re navigating one of the most emotionally challenging periods of your life, you can rest assured that Watts McCray has the legal aspects under control. Our experienced team has supported many clients across NSW to achieve the very best outcomes possible for their family’s future.

While we’ve covered the data above, we understand that behind every divorce statistic is a real family navigating a significant life change. If you’re facing divorce or separation in NSW, Watts McCray family lawyers are here to help. Please reach out for confidential guidance today.

Commonly asked questions about divorce in NSW

How can I apply for a divorce?

The key requirement to file for divorce in Australia is that you’ve been separated for a minimum of 12 months. One of you must also be a citizen, be living in Australia and/or consider it your permanent home. You can either make a sole or joint application for divorce.

Who decides property settlements and parenting arrangements?

In most cases, you and your ex-partner decide! When you and your ex-partner separate, you’ll need to fairly divide your assets and liabilities and make arrangements for any children. If you and your ex-partner can agree, you can then formalise your agreement. But if you can’t agree, you can try dispute resolution or mediation, with the goal of reaching an agreement that way. If an agreement still can’t be reached, you may need to go to Court.

Do I need a family lawyer?

We strongly advise that you seek the advice of an experienced family lawyer. Even if you and your partner can agree on property settlement terms and parenting arrangements, it’s wise to have a lawyer ensure you’re getting a fair deal, ensure any documents reflect what you understand the agreement to be, and make sure it’s finalised properly.