September 5, 2008
Embargoed 11.30 am (AEST)
91/2008
Father’s Day 2008 facts and figures: ABS
Fatherhood
In 2006/07, there were 4,569,000 men aged 18 years and over who reported having one or
more natural children living either with them or elsewhere.
Most commonly, 41% of fathers had two natural children, 39% had three or more natural
children, while 21% had one natural child.
Over one-third of these men (36%) reported first becoming a father aged between 25 and 30
years, while 13% had first become a father aged over 35 years.
Step-fathers
In 2006/07, 132,000 men were step-fathers to children aged under 18, living in the same
household. In comparison 30,000 women were step-mothers to children aged under 18, living
in the same household.
Non-resident fathers
There were 385,000 non-resident fathers in 2006/07, that is, fathers who had at least one
natural child aged 0-17 years not residing with them but usually residing with the natural
mother.
Just over one-third of non-resident fathers (36%) lived alone, while 31% lived in a couple family
with children and 18% lived with their partner and no children.
Work and family
There were 1,720,000 fathers living with their natural, adopted, step or foster children aged
under 15 in July 2008. The majority of these fathers (92%) were employed and 29% of
employed fathers worked 50 hours or more per week.
In 2006, fathers living with their children aged under 15 years, spent an average of 8 hours per
week where their main activity was related to caring for their children, including providing
physical or emotional care, minding their children, teaching or disciplining their children, and
playing with or reading to their children.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Media requests and interviews
Kate Gilrane (02) 6252 6403; 0447 693 708
Larissa Sette (02) 6252 6566
Statistical clarification
Heather Crawford (02) 6252 5742; 0429 994 490
NEWS 
