Delivering on our commitment to build stronger relationships

The Abbott Government is honouring its election commitment to provide Australian couples with access to relationship education and counselling services. The commitments we made at the election were fully funded, ensuring no additional pressure on the Budget.

The Stronger Relationships trial will provide up to 100,000 couples with $200 towards relationship education or counselling.

From July, couples will be able to register online for the subsidy, which can be used at an approved not-for-profit provider of their choice.

Couples will be able to access a relationships educator to work through key issues such as parenting, financial management and improving communication.

Couples can also use the counselling assistance to help them through any problems they may be experiencing in their relationship.

The Stronger Relationships trial will be open to all couples in a committed relationship, including engaged, married, de-facto and same-sex couples.

Beyond the staggering economic cost is the personal trauma which has a significant impact on the health, educational opportunities and wellbeing of families and communities.

We know that investing in marriage and relationship education and counselling can strengthen relationships and help improve personal and family wellbeing.

This trial will cost less than one per cent of the cost of divorce each year–a relatively small investment considering the enormous social and economic costs of relationship and family breakdown.