6224.0.55.001 - Labour Force, Australia: Labour Force Status and Other Characteristics of Families, Jun 2011 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 28/09/2011   
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Contents >> Lone Parent Families

LONE PARENT FAMILIES

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LONE PARENT FAMILIES

In June 2011, there were 950 thousand lone parent families, making up 15% of all families. About two-thirds of these lone parents were living with their dependants.

There were 780 thousand single mother families in June 2011, making up the vast majority of lone parent families (83%).


Column Graph: Shows how the percentage of employed lone parents decreases with age of youngest dependant


LONE PARENT FAMILIES WITH DEPENDANTS

In June 2011, there were 630 thousand lone parent families with dependants, and again most (84%) were single mother families. In a little over half (54%) of lone parent families with dependants, the age of the youngest child was between 0 and 9 years old.

The parent was employed in 59% of lone parent families with dependants in June 2011. In these families, 70% of single fathers were employed compared with 57% of single mothers. Employment among single parents generally increased as the age of the youngest dependant increased, with 73% of single parent families whose youngest dependant was 15–24 years old having an employed parent, compared with 35% whose youngest dependant under 5.


Column Graph: Shows how single mothers are employed less than single fathers, especially in families with young children



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