Relationship Indicators 2024
Relationships Australia Victoria, as part of the Relationships Australia National Federation, is pleased to share the results of our nationally representative survey into the state of relationships in Australia. These findings will inform our efforts to support all Australians to achieve positive and respectful relationships.
Background
Relationships Australia previously conducted the Relationships Indicators Survey from 1998-2011. In response to the enormous effects of the pandemic and other challenges in recent years, we recognised a shift in relationships and were interested in gaining a better understanding of these changes at a national level.
In response, Relationships Australia decided to reinvigorate the project with a renewed focus on research design and method.
The new survey
In 2022, Relationships Australia sought to develop a national survey which explored the ‘most important, meaningful’ relationship people have in their lives. Traditionally, many may assume that a person’s partner would take on this role. Although for many of our participants this was the case, we also felt it was important to capture the incredible connection people have outside of partnered relationships and explore the difficulties and challenges these relationships face.
The survey also explores people’s experiences with partnered relationship breakdown and bereavement, as well as other emerging relationship issues. Finally, we focused on people’s social identities, by exploring the roles that group relationships play in our lives.
To design the survey, we used a panel of experts from across our Federation and beyond. This resulted in a survey with a variety of rigorous measures, validated tools and some questions to test our own assumptions as service providers. Responses were collected by Life in Australia™ – Australia’s most methodologically rigorous panel.
Our approach produced findings which are broadly applicable to the Australian population. Despite this, we recognise that distilling relationships, which are so personal and infinitely subjective, into a short, summative report is a difficult task. As such, we plan to use this research as a launching point for more in-depth work.
A new wave of the survey was conducted in 2024, building on the research conducted in 2022. The 2024 update also explored challenging relationships held by Australians, pressures on relationships, and how these are managed.
Key findings in 2024
- Having a strong and reliable relationship improves subjective wellbeing, reduces loneliness, and enhances mental health.
- 27% of respondents said that the cost of living was a pressure on their relationship
- Fewer respondents agreed their relationship was good or full, sturdy or enjoyable, compared to 2022.
- More people reported their relationship was fragile, discouraging or lonely than in 2022.
- 13% of people sought help for relationship issues from a professional such as a counsellor, up from 6% in 2022.
- More people (12%) felt unsafe to disagree in their relationship compared to 2022 (7%).
Fact sheets
Explore key 2024 findings for specific topics.
Cost of living
Older persons
Persons with disabilities
Partner relationships
Loneliness
Mental health
Looking forwards
This report has demonstrated the integral role relationships play on our health, wellbeing and happiness. It has also explored how pressures challenge relationships, affective some sub-populations more than others. It has highlighted the need for supports which help all Australians nurture their relationships, to provide everyone with the opportunity to create respectful, enduring and fulfilling connections throughout the lifetime.
Relationships Australia Victoria believes that that people, in all their diversity, have the right to live their lives safely and with dignity, with their families and within their communities, and to enjoy positive, respectful, safe and fulfilling relationships. The findings from this research will be used to support Relationships Australia service provision and advocacy efforts to help achieve this goal.
Read more about our research and evaluation work
Current projects
We're currently undertaking research and evaluation projects across a range of areas related to family relationships.
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Family dispute resolution: What the research says
Through continuous research and evaluation, we continue to refine family dispute resolution (FDR) and demonstrate its profound and positive impact.
Family Violence Position Paper
Our Family Violence Position Paper responds to the latest data on the prevalence and causes of family violence in Australia, and explores different prevention methods.
Our partnership with Yarra Communities that Care®
We participated in a collaborative, place-based approach with Yarra Communities that Care®, to strengthen family relationships in the City of Yarra.
Our dedicated research and evaluation team
Driving collaborative design, development and implementation of our outcome measurements and evaluations.
Presentations, webinars and publications
We're committed to knowledge sharing and contributing to sector-wide continuous improvement. We regularly share our research and evaluation learnings at conferences and events and through webinars and podcasts.
Previous projects
For over a decade, we've conducted a wide range of research and evaluation projects, including major projects funded by the Australian Research Council.
Research and evaluation summaries
These summaries are designed to share the outcomes of key projects and initiatives relating to our services, clients and community needs.
Strengthening relationships and social connections
Read our 3 new reports as part of our project with the Centre for Community Child Health.