Taxpayers pay $2.5m for Abbott government's failed marriage therapy vouchers

The cost of a federal government plan to provide couples with $200 vouchers to help get their marriages back on track has ballooned to triple the value of the handout.

Taxpayers forked out $2.5 million for the failed marriage counselling program - coined Stronger Relationships - but only about $800,000 was given to couples.

The 4000-or-so vouchers cost the government about $600 each.

Social Services Minister Scott Morrison dismantled the trial about halfway through when he took over the portfolio from Kevin Andrews last year.

It saved an additional $17 million earmarked for the year-long trial, that was supposed to help 100,000 couples.

Documents from a Senate estimates hearings reveal the department spent $449,565 on a terminated review of the program and $1.2 million on marketing, IT and staffing.

Three staff who developed and administered the trial cost $453,506 over two years.

About 12,000 couples registered for the program but Mr Morrison said in February only one third had actually gone to marriage counselling.

Those yet to attend can access the program until June 30, meaning the total cost to government per voucher could fall.