Australian divorce rates seem to be spiking as the first month of 2025 comes to an end.
There has been a 40 per cent spike in separation enquiries on The Separation Guide, an Australian divorce technology platform, over December 2024 and January 2025 compared to the same period last year.
December 29 alone saw an 88 per cent increase in onboarding enquiries compared to the daily average for December, and January has already recorded a 39 per cent increase on the month's daily average.
READ MORE: First hostages return to Israel as ceasefire takes hold
These statistics suggest the financial and other stressors that can be exacerbated over the holiday period pushed some Aussie couples to breaking point.
"For those who have been considering separation for some time, often there is a desire to have one last Christmas together before taking action," Angela Harbinson, CEO of The Separation Guide, said in a press release.
"This is why we generally see an uptick in online queries post-Christmas and in the New Year."
READ MORE: Tony Jones addresses Djokovic boycott with TV apology
She added that "returning to work in early January while it's still quiet gives people privacy to research their options, free from partners' scrutiny".
February has traditionally been considered 'divorce month' in the Family Law sector, as that's when courts reopen after the holiday break.
However, it seems that Australians are looking into separation and divorce earlier as the cost of living crisis puts added financial pressure on families around the country.
READ MORE: Taliban deputy's shock call on school for women, girls
Research from The Separation Guide found that the average cost of separation and divorce in Australia is about $21,000 per person if the matter doesn't go to court, or between $50,000 and $100,000 if it does go to court.
Divorce is on the rise in Australia, with 56,244 divorces granted in 2021 - the highest number of divorces recorded since 1976.
The total annual number of divorces has dropped in the years since, with 49,241 divorces granted in 2022 and 48,700 divorces granted in 2023.
DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
