Our History
Relationships Australia has been providing services and supports to Australians for over 70 years.
1948
Social services commenced in Australian states and territories under the shared brand “Marriage Guidance Council” to support, in particular, the family relationships of soldiers returning to Australia post World War II
1952
The first National Conference of Marriage Councils was held in Melbourne
1953
National Marriage Guidance Council of Australia (NMGCA) was formed
1956
Government funding to NMGCA commenced
1975
No fault divorce laws were introduced in Australia
1993
The federation of Marriage Guidance Councils voted to rename to Relationships Australia, in response to social shifts in late 20th-century society, and reflecting the broad scope of services provided
1996
Relationships Australia Tasmania introduced the first Children’s Contact Service to be provided within the Federation
2003
The first annual “check on your neighbour day” takes place in Victoria, Australia, founded by Andrew Heslop
2006
Government funding established for Family Relationship Centres. 66 have since been established across Australia, over one third of which are operated by Relationships Australia and various consortium partners
2006
Establishment of the Family Relationships Advice Line (FRAL), operated by Relationships Australia Queensland. FRAL is a national telephone service that helps families affected by relationship or separation issues, including information on parenting arrangements after separation
2014
Relationships Australia assumes custodianship of Neighbour Day, a national social connection campaign promoting respectful relationships across the country