In new data, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics from the 2016 census, showed about 46,800 same-sex couples lived together – a total of 0.9 per cent of all couples living together in Australia.

In the 2011 census, 33,700 same-sex couples identified they lived with their partner. 

In Tasmania, just 1.8 per cent of couples identified as same-sex, which is just 0.8 per cent of all couples, regardless of orientation, in Australia. 

The Australian Capital Territory had the highest number of same-sex couples, with about 1.4 per cent of all couples living in the area. 

The 2016 census director Sue Taylor said the latest figures reflected generational changes in the Australian community.

“Most of the increase in same-sex couples living together was due to higher levels of reporting in people aged 20-39 at the time of the 2016 census,” Ms Taylor said.

The data also found same-sex couples have a higher average income of $1,175 than opposite-sex couples earning about $843. 

About 45 per cent of couples were found to have a bachelor degree or higher, compared with 29 per cent of opposite-sex couples. Employment rates for same-sex couples was about 84 per cent compared with 67 per cent of opposite-sex couples.  

Ms Taylor said domestic work was more evenly shared between partners in same-sex couples. 

“Partners did the same amount of unpaid domestic work in 57 per cent of female same-sex couples, 56 per cent of male same-sex couples and 39 per cent of opposite-sex couples,” Ms Taylor said. 

“In opposite-sex couples, females did more unpaid domestic work than males in 54 per cent of couples, with males doing more domestic work than females in just 7.3 per cent of couples.” 

The census only measures relationships in households, which means any relationships that extend beyond the household were not counted.