This paper aims to obtain a better understanding of marriage breakdown in the Australian context, with a particular focus on gender differences in the social correlates of marriage breakdown. It analyses retrospective data from all persons who were currently or had been previously married at Wave 1 of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey (2001).

The findings are grouped into three main themes:

• Social characteristics are important for understanding marriage breakdown.
• Women are more likely to initiate separation than men.
• Gender differences in the decision to separate or remain married.