SafekipediaPublic opinion of same-sex marriage in Australia
Adapted from Wikipedia · Adventurer experience
Public opinion of same-sex marriage in Australia has changed a lot over the years. In 2004, only 38% of people supported same-sex marriage. But by 2023, this grew to 75% support.
This shows how people’s views on marriage have changed. For more details, see the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey.
Opinion polls
2000s
In June 2004, a poll showed that 38% of people supported same-sex marriage, with 44% opposed and 18% unsure.
In June 2007, another poll found that 57% of Australians supported same-sex marriage, while 37% were opposed and 6% were unsure. The poll also found that 71% supported same-sex couples having the same legal rights as married couples.
In June 2009, a poll found that 60% supported same-sex marriage, with 36% opposed and 4% unsure. Support was highest among voters from the Greens party and among those aged 16–24.
2010s
In October 2010, a poll found that 62% supported same-sex marriage, with 33% opposed and 5% unsure. Support was highest among those aged 18–24 and among people living in South Australia.
In March 2011, a poll found that support for same-sex marriage had dropped below 50%, with opposition up by 4%.
In July 2011, a poll found that 68% of Australians supported same-sex marriage and 78% believed that marriage was a "necessary" institution.
In November 2011, a poll found that 80% agreed that a leader should allow members of their team to decide for themselves how they would vote on same-sex marriage.
In February 2012, an online poll found that 49% said same-sex couples should be allowed to marry legally, 31% said they should be allowed to have a relationship but not marry, and 14% opposed any legal recognition.
From February to April 2012, the House of Representatives conducted an online survey to let people share their views on same-sex marriage. The survey closed on 20 April, having received about 276,000 responses, including about 213,500 comments. Of these responses, 64.3% supported same-sex marriage.
In May 2013, a poll found that 54% of people supported same-sex marriage and another 20% supported another form of recognition for same-sex couples.
In August 2013, a poll found that 65% of people supported same-sex marriage, up 8 points since December 2011, while only 28% were opposed.
In June 2014, a survey asked people about common reasons some people might not support same-sex marriage.
In July 2014, a poll found that 72% of Australians supported same-sex marriage, while only 21% were opposed. A majority of people from major religious groups supported same-sex marriage, as did a majority of people aged over 55.
In June 2015, a poll found 68% of people supported same-sex marriage, 25% were opposed and 7% were unsure.
In August 2015, a survey found support for same-sex marriage at 60%, with 66% supporting a public vote on the issue.
In September 2015, a poll found 67% of Australians wanted a public vote to decide whether same-sex couples could marry, but in October 2015, another poll found that support for a public vote fell to 43% when people were told it would cost around $150 million.
In March 2016, a poll found that 64% of people agreed that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry, 26% said they should not be allowed to marry and 11% were unsure.
In July 2016, a poll found decreasing support for a public vote on same-sex marriage. When people were told the vote was not legally binding, support dropped to 35%. When people were told the expected cost of the vote, support dropped further to 25%.
In August 2016, a poll found that 57% of people said they would vote 'yes' in a public vote to allow same-sex couples to marry, 28% said they would vote 'no' and 15% were unsure.
In September 2016, a survey found that Maranoa, in southwest Queensland, was the only area in the country where most people opposed same-sex marriage. The areas most supportive of same-sex marriage were Sydney, Melbourne, Grayndler, Wentworth, Melbourne Ports, Wills, Gellibrand, Batman, Higgins and Brisbane.
| Reason | Agree (%) | Disagree (%) |
|---|---|---|
| People who choose to be gay know that their choice means they cannot get married | 30% | 58% |
| It is fine for same-sex couples to have a ceremony, but it should not be called "marriage" | 30% | 63% |
| The recognition of de facto relationships and civil unions is enough; we don't need same-sex marriage too | 29% | 63% |
| Children need both a mother and a father, and legalising same-sex marriage could break that down | 29% | 65% |
| The institution is already under threat and should not be further undermined by this | 24% | 67% |
| Marriage is only meant to be between a man and a woman, so this is wrong and should not be encouraged | 24% | 69% |
| Marriage is a religious institution and no changes should be made to it against the wishes of religious groups | 23% | 70% |
| Same-sex marriages could devalue traditional marriages | 22% | 73% |
| Allowing same-sex marriage will lead to some people losing their religious freedoms | 16% | 72% |
| Allowing same-sex marriage is a slippery slope and could lead to issues like polygamy | 17% | 74% |
Marriage Law Postal Survey
Main article: Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey
In 2017, Australia had a vote to see if people wanted to let same-sex couples get married. Every adult who could vote got a survey asking: "Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?" Almost 80% of people sent back their surveys. About 62% voted "Yes," and about 38% voted "No." A few votes were unclear.
Summary table
| Date | Firm | Support | Oppose | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 March 2018 | Essential | 65% | 26% | 9% |
| 9 November 2017 | Lonergan Research | 65% | 27% | 8% |
| 9 November 2017 | YouGov | 60% | 32% | 8% |
| 28 September - 1 October 2017 | Essential | 61% | 32% | 7% |
| 15–18 September 2017 | Essential | 55% | 34% | 11% |
| 12 September - 7 November 2017 | Australian Bureau of Statistics | 61.6% | 38.4% | 0.3% |
| 28 August - 6 September 2017 | Newgate Research | 58.4% | 31.4% | 10.2% |
| 1–4 September 2017 | Essential | 59% | 31% | 11% |
| 17–22 August 2017 | Essential | 57% | 32% | 11% |
| 17–21 August 2017 | YouGov | 59% | 33% | 8% |
| 17–20 August 2017 | Newspoll | 63% | 30% | 7% |
| July 2017 | Essential | 63% | 25% | 12% |
| July 2017 | YouGov | 60% | 28% | 12% |
| February 2017 | Galaxy | 66% | – | – |
| September 2016 | Newspoll | 62% | 32% | 6% |
| August 2016 | Essential | 57% | 28% | 15% |
| March 2016 | Essential | 64% | 26% | 11% |
| March 2016 | Roy Morgan | 76% | 24% | – |
| October 2015 | Essential | 59% | 30% | 11% |
| August 2015 | Essential | 60% | 31% | 10% |
| August 2015 | Ipsos | 69% | 25% | 6% |
| July 2015 | ReachTEL | 53.8% | 32.8% | 12.4% |
| June 2015 | Ipsos | 68% | 25% | 7% |
| July 2014 | Newspoll | 69% | 26% | 6% |
| July 2014 | Crosby Textor | 72% | 21% | 7% |
| August 2013 | Nielson | 65% | 28% | 7% |
| May 2013 | Ipsos | 54% | 20% | 26% |
| May 2013 | Roy Morgan | 65% | 35% | – |
| August 2012 | Galaxy | 64% | 30% | 5% |
| July 2011 | Roy Morgan | 68% | 30% | 2% |
| October 2010 | Galaxy | 62% | 33% | 5% |
| June 2009 | Galaxy | 60% | 36% | 4% |
| June 2007 | Galaxy | 57% | 37% | 6% |
| June 2004 | Newspoll | 38% | 44% | 18% |
This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Public opinion of same-sex marriage in Australia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.