Australian Divorcing Couples Stay Under 1 Roof More Often as Shared-Living Rate Hits 19%
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 27
Australian Divorcing Couples Stay Under 1 Roof More Often as Shared-Living Rate Hits 19%
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 27
Summary
19% of Australian divorcing couples reported living under the same roof after separation in 2024–2025, up from 15% in 2020–2021, according to federal family court divorce application data.
Soaring living costs and a shortage of housing are driving the shift, with relationship counselors saying many couples cannot afford to run two households or secure separate rentals.
Nearly a third of Australians say cost-of-living pressure is straining their relationships, while economists have found rapid house-price growth can also lock people into marriages by raising the cost of splitting.
Counselors say these arrangements often become tense or unsafe, with disputes over household space, bills and dating, and some women remaining with abusive partners because leaving is financially impossible.
When a mortgage becomes a cage, what are the hidden dangers for families forced to live together after separating?
With ex-partners locked in by housing costs, are new government support plans enough to protect the vulnerable?
7 in 10 Australians Delay Separation: The Economic and Emotional Toll of Shared-Living Breakups
Overview
A growing number of separated couples in Australia are continuing to live together under the same roof, mainly due to economic pressures. Many delay separation, hoping for improvement, but financial constraints—especially the rising cost of housing and the high expenses of divorce—often leave them with no choice but to cohabit. This situation creates a complex mix of emotional, practical, and legal challenges, as couples struggle with unresolved relationships while facing difficulties in finding affordable separate homes. The trend highlights how economic realities are increasingly shaping personal decisions and family structures in Australia.