09/10 Census Result   »   Sexual Relations   »   Open Relationships / Swinging

This category explores our intimate relationships with each other. It discovers how we meet and how our modern relationship dynamics work. This category exposes the casual freedom of modern interaction and the continuing evolution in sexual relationships in Australia.

• Are you or have you ever been in an open relationship? (where each partner is free to engage in sexual activity with people outside the couple independently of their partner) (see comparison)

  • Yes 21.4% 21.2% 21.8%
  • No 58.4% 57.8% 59.9%
  • Did not Answer 20.2% 21.0% 18.3%

• If yes – how often did you have sex with people other than your partner? (see comparison)

  • Daily 1.3% 1.3% 1.4%
  • Weekly 5.7% 5.6% 5.8%
  • Monthly 11.6% 11.8% 10.9%
  • Yearly 6.5% 6.3% 6.8%
  • Did not Answer 74.9% 75.0% 75.1%

• Again, if yes - Do you have rules that govern your open relationship? (see comparison)

  • Yes 17.3% 16.7% 18.7%
  • No 8.7% 9.4% 7.0%
  • Did not Answer 74.0% 73.9% 74.3%

• Again, if yes - Who instigated the open relationship- you or your partner? (see comparison)

  • You 14.6% 14.9% 13.8%
  • Your Partner 9.1% 8.6% 10.1%
  • Did not Answer 76.3% 76.5% 76.1%

• Have you and a partner ever been in a swinging relationship? (see comparison)

  • Yes 21.5% 21.0% 22.9%
  • No 53.2% 52.7% 54.6%
  • Did not Answer 25.3% 26.3% 22.5%

• If yes, how often would you have sex with a third party or parties? (see comparison)

  • Daily 0.8% 0.8% 0.9%
  • Weekly 3.9% 3.8% 4.2%
  • Monthly 12.6% 12.1% 14.0%
  • Yearly 7.2% 7.8% 5.8%
  • Did not Answer 75.5% 75.5% 75.1%

• Again, if yes - Do you have rules that govern your swinging relationship? (see comparison)

  • Yes 19.5% 18.7% 21.6%
  • No 6.3% 7.1% 4.2%
  • Did not Answer 74.2% 74.2% 74.2%

• Again if yes, where did these activities take place? (see comparison)

  • Your home 4.7% 4.6% 4.9%
  • Other people's homes 3.5% 3.5% 3.2%
  • Hotels 2.4% 2.2% 2.7%
  • Sex Clubs 2.2% 2.1% 2.4%
  • Various locations 12.0% 11.9% 12.3%
  • Did not Answer 75.2% 75.7% 74.5%

• What percentage of Australian's do you think have tried swinging? (see comparison)

  • 10% 23.8% 24.8% 21.0%
  • 20% 19.9% 20.2% 19.1%
  • 30% 17.7% 17.8% 17.6%
  • 40% 8.6% 7.7% 10.9%
  • 50% 4.5% 4.0% 5.6%
  • 60% 2.4% 2.0% 3.4%
  • 70% 1.2% 0.9% 2.0%
  • 80% 0.7% 0.5% 1.0%
  • 90% 0.3% 0.2% 0.5%
  • 100% 0.2% 0.1% 0.2%
  • Did not Answer 20.7% 21.8% 18.7%