New research reveals the number of Aussies who are starting to plan their family before age 30

For many couples, the conversations about having kids and starting a family are happening long before it's a reality. 

While the birth rate in Australia is declining, having babies is still on the forefront of a lot of peoples minds. 

New research conducted for the 9honey and Elevit Parenting survey, found that 53 per cent of people are starting to plan their family before age 28. 

Of those surveyed, a further 21 per cent are starting to think about a family between the age of 29 and 31. 

But while these conversations and the planning is kicking off early for a lot of Australians, that's what they are: planning and not actually having kids yet. 

For a lot of young couples the conversation about having a baby and the planning isn't as straightforward as it once was.

The dream of owning your own home first, or even just tying the knot, both come with huge financial costs, something which can push a couple's timeline back.

For a lot of people now, there's also the stability of being at a job long enough to qualify for parental leave, which can also factor into the timing of starting a family.

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The fertility rate in Australia has dropped to a record low of just 1.50 babies per woman according to the latest data released from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). 

In 2023, there were 286,998 births registered in Australia.

"The record low total fertility rate is because there were fewer births in most states and territories," Beidar Cho, ABS head of demography statistics said. 

But the survey suggests while the birth rate is declining and more young people are choosing to either have children later – or not at all – many do want to have a family and will plan for it.

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However, those who responded to the survey aged 65 and older started planning kids much younger.

The data revealed 40 per cent of respondents started planning for a family at age 25 or younger, and 24 per cent between the ages of 26 to 28.

Over two decades that number halved, with only 20 per cent first planning to start a family at the same age.

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