Overview

This booklet presents discussion and statistical information on trends and the structure of families in Australia. It begins with a discussion of the various definitions of the family including the definition used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Drawing on ABS data, the author looks at types of families including couple families, one parent families, married and de facto couples and natural parents and step families. Finally, family transitions or the ways family change, for instance by children leaving home, the forming of relationships, having children, the ending of relationships and repartnering are explored.

Australian Family Briefing No 3