Characteristics and health conditions of civilian spouses of veterans

Number of veteran’s civilian spouses

In the 2021 Census, 315,000 civilians were identified as a spouse living with a veteran. This represents 3.0% of all spouses living together on Census night. Of these couples, 64% (201,000) did not have any children living with them and 36% (114,000) had children (of any age) living with them on Census night.

Of all civilian spouses of veterans, 6.7% (21,000) were the spouse of a current serving permanent member, 3.9% (12,400) were the spouse of a current serving reserves member and 89% (281,300) were the spouse of an ex-serving member.

Most civilian spouses were female, and spouses of ex-serving veterans were generally older

The vast majority of civilian spouses of veterans were female (94%) and only 6.1% being male. This reflects the fact that most veterans are male (86%) and contrasts with non-veteran relationships, in which female and male spouses are roughly equally represented (ABS 2021b). Therefore, this report primarily focuses on female civilian spouses, with male spouses included where data is available. 

A study by the Australian Institute of Family Studies found that current and ex-serving males were more likely to have a spouse than non-veteran males, while female current serving permanent members were less likely to have a spouse than other females (AIFS 2024).

Individuals may serve in the ADF from 17 years of age. The compulsory retirement age is 60 years for members of the permanent forces and 65 years for reserve members. Some permanent members transition into the reserve service prior to separating from the ADF. There is a gradual ageing shift across permanent, reserve and ex-serving members, which is also reflected in the age distribution of civilian spouses. Civilian spouses of ex-serving members had the oldest age structure of the 4 groups, with most aged 55 years or older (Figure 1).

Due to the compulsory retirement age for ADF members of 60 years for permanent members and 65 years for reserve members, comparisons involving their spouses aged 55 years and over with spouses in non-veteran relationships aged 55 years and over should be interpreted with caution.

Same-sex couples represented 1% of veteran couples

Approximately 1.0% (3,200) of veterans with a civilian spouse were living in a same-sex relationship compared with 1.4% of spouses in non-veteran relationships. Among civilian spouses of veterans in same-sex relationships, 54% were female same-sex couples while 46% were male same-sex couples. 

Female spouses aged 35–54 were more likely to be in couple-family households living with children

Demographic factors most associated with having children living in the couple home included being a female civilian spouse aged 35–54 partnered with a current serving (permanent or reserves) member. In each cohort, 82% of female civilian spouses reported living with children – higher than the proportions among male spouses of permanent or reserves members (73% and 77% respectively). These figures exceed those reported among female spouses of ex-serving members (75%) but are the same as female spouses of non-veterans (82%). 

Civilian spouses of permanent and reserve ADF members had higher levels of employment

Among all civilian spouses of permanent and reserve members, the most common labour force status was employed full time (42% and 45% respectively). Whereas civilian spouses of ex-serving members were most likely to be not in the labour force (54%). For spouses in non-veteran relationships, the most common labour force status was employed full time (44%). 

For those aged 17–54 years, the proportion of male and female civilian spouses of veterans who were employed was generally higher or similar to spouses of non-veterans, regardless of whether they had children. 

For female civilian spouses of veterans:

• Younger spouses aged 17–24 years of permanent, reserve, and ex-serving members were more likely to be employed full-time (42%, 44%, and 43% respectively) compared with female spouses in non-veteran relationships (37%)
• In contrast, spouses aged 55 years and older of ex-serving members were more likely to not be in the labour force (76%) compared with spouses in non-veteran relationships (61%). However, spouses aged 55 years and older of permanent and reserve members were more likely to be employed full-time (34% and 28% respectively) compared with female spouses in non-veteran relationships (16%).

For male civilian spouses of veterans:

• Younger spouses aged 17–24 years of permanent and reserve members were more likely to be employed full-time (67% for both groups) compared with male spouses in non-veteran relationships (59%)
• Spouses aged 55 years and older of permanent and reserve members were also more likely to be employed full-time (46% and 58% respectively) compared with male spouses in non-veteran relationships (31%).

Female civilian spouses had lower levels of weekly personal income compared to male civilian spouses

Among all civilian spouses of permanent, reserve, and ex-serving members, the most common total weekly personal income was $1,000–$1,249 (12%), $2,000–$2,999 (14%), and $300–$399 (17%) respectively. For spouses in non-veteran relationships, the most common income was $2,000–$2,999 (11%). 

This indicates that, overall civilian spouses of veterans tend to have lower personal incomes than spouses of non-veterans. However, veterans themselves typically have higher incomes than non-veterans, and veteran households with children often report higher weekly family incomes. 

Further information on veteran household incomes can be found in Characteristics and health conditions of children living with veteran parents. See Ex-serving ADF members’ income and sources of income for further information on ex-serving member personal incomes.

For female civilian spouses of veterans:

• Across all age groups presented, spouses of reserve members overall were more likely to have a higher total weekly personal income compared with spouses of permanent or ex-serving members or female spouses in non-veteran relationships. For example, among those aged 25–34, the total weekly income of female civilian spouses:
  • of reserve members was most likely to be $1,500–$1,749 (13%)
  • of permanent or ex-serving members or female spouses in non-veteran relationships was most likely to be $1,000–$1,249 (12%–13%)

• For the age groups over 25 years and over, spouses of permanent members were generally more likely to have a negative* or nil total weekly personal income compared with spouses of reserve or ex-serving members or female spouses in non-veteran relationships. For example, among those aged 45–54, 11% of spouses of permanent members reported negative or nil total weekly personal income, in contrast to 7.2%. 7.8% and 8.5% of spouses of reserve members, ex-serving members, and non-veterans respectively.

For male civilian spouses of veterans:

• The most common total weekly personal income range for spouses aged 25–34 of permanent members was $1500–$1749 (15%). Whereas the most common total weekly personal income range for spouses aged 25–34 of reserve or ex-serving members or male spouses in non-veteran relationships was $2000–$2999 (26%, 18%, and 16% respectively)

Note: * Negative income in the Census includes people who own their own business and report negative income due to losses or negative gearing of rentals.

Female civilian spouses of permanent and reserve ADF members were more likely to have bachelor’s degree or higher

Among all civilian spouses of permanent and reserve members, and spouses of non-veterans, the most common highest level of educational attainment was a bachelor’s degree or higher (44%, 52%, and 34% respectively). For civilian spouses of ex-serving members, the most common highest level of educational attainment was year 12 or equivalent or below (39%). 

For female civilian spouses of veterans:

• Across all age groups presented, a higher proportion of spouses of reserve members (53%) had a bachelor’s degree or higher as their highest level of educational attainment compared with spouses of permanent (45%) or ex-serving members (26%) or female spouses in non-veteran relationships (37%). 
• Spouses aged 55 years and older of ex-serving members were more likely to have a highest educational attainment of year 12 or equivalent or below (including Certificate I/II) (52%) compared with female spouses of permanent or reserve members or spouses in non-veteran relationships (31%, 28%, and 48% respectively).

For male civilian spouses of veterans:

• Spouses aged 25–34 of ex-serving members were more likely to have a Certificate III and IV (38%) as their highest level of educational attainment compared with spouses of permanent or reserve members or male spouses in non-veteran relationships (33%, 30%, and 29% respectively).
• Spouses aged 35–44 of permanent, reserve, and ex-serving members, as well as spouses in non-veteran relationships were all most likely to have a bachelor’s degree or higher as their highest level of educational attainment (35%, 39%, 34%, and 42% respectively).

Civilian spouses of permanent members were more likely to live in a rented home

Among all civilian spouses of permanent, reserve, and ex-serving members, the most common housing type occupied on Census night, was rented (62%), owned with a mortgage (64%), and owned outright (52%) respectively. This may partly reflect the housing options available through Defence Housing Australia (DHA) for serving members. For spouses in non-veteran relationships, the most common housing type was owned with a mortgage (45%).

Note, as civilian spouses of veterans were only identified if living with their veteran partner, this section essentially describes the housing situation of veterans in couple families. 

For female civilian spouses of veterans:

• Across all age groups presented, spouses of permanent members were more likely to live in a home that is rented (62%) compared with spouses of reserve or ex-serving members or spouses in female non-veteran relationships (20%, 13% and 23% respectively).

For male civilian spouses of veterans:

• Male spouses of permanent members overall were also more likely to live in a home that is rented (54%) compared with spouses of reserve or ex-serving members or male spouses in non-veteran relationships (23%, 16% and 23% respectively)
• Spouses aged 55 years and older of permanent and reserve members were most likely to live in a home that is owned with a mortgage (46% and 48% respectively), whereas spouses of ex-serving members or male spouses in non-veteran relationships were most likely to be occupied in a home that is owned outright (58% and 60% respectively)

What are the ADF service-related characteristics of civilian spouses’ veteran partners?

The following findings describe civilian spouses, categorised according to the service-related characteristics of their veteran partners. Understanding the ADF service-related characteristics of the veteran partner provides context to observed health conditions and socio-economic outcomes in this report. For example, it can answer questions on outcomes among spouses of veterans who separated for involuntary medical reasons versus veterans who separated voluntarily.

The following findings by service-related characteristics of the veteran focuses on the civilian spouses of ex-serving members as the largest group. Demographic data for civilian spouses of permanent and reserve members are available in supplementary tables SD8.3 and SD8.4.

Of civilian spouses of veterans who had at least one day of ADF service since 1 January 1985 (154,000 spouses), 12% (17,700) were spouses of permanent members, 11% (16,500) were spouses of reserve members, and 78% (119,000) were spouses of ex-serving members.

Findings for civilian spouses of ex-serving members are presented by the age groups 17–34, and 35 and over, to better account for differences in the prevalence of mental health conditions by age, discussed later in What are the ADF service characteristics associated with mental health conditions of the veteran’s civilian spouse.

For female civilian spouses of ex-serving members:

• Spouses aged 17–34 were most likely to have an ex-serving spouse who served in the Army (77%) compared with the Navy (15%) or Air force (8.3%). This corresponds broadly with the makeup of the services of ADF members.
• Spouses aged 17–34 mostly had ex-serving spouses who were of other (non-officer) ranks (91%)
• Spouses aged 17–34 years of age were most likely to be with an ex-serving member who has served from 1 to less than 5 years (35%). Those 35 years and over were most likely to be with an ex-serving member who has served 10 years or more (51%)
• Spouses aged 17–34 were most likely to be with an ex-serving member who separated from the ADF from 1 to less than 5 years ago (33%). Those 35 years and over were most likely to be with an ex-serving member who separated from the ADF 10 years or more ago (80%)
• Most ex-serving members with civilian spouses aged 17–34 years separated from the ADF for voluntary reasons (48%) and 19% separated for involuntary medical reasons
• Most ex-serving members with civilian spouses aged 17–34 years did not have operational experience (69%)

The demographics of the male civilian spouses of ex-serving members analysed by the service-related characteristic of the veteran spouse follow a similar pattern to that of female civilian spouses of ex-serving members.