About

About

Who we are.

Empowering people to build respectful relationships.

75 years

of supporting Australian relationships

29,504 clients

supported in FY2023/24

90% of clients

felt heard and understood

Our Vision

A society where no one faces relationship challenges alone – where everyone has the tools and support they need to build strong, fulfilling connections.
community resilience

Our Purpose

Through the power of relationships, we help people live happier, healthier lives – through every transition, struggle, or new beginning.

Our History

We originally launched in a number of states under the name Marriage Guidance Council, to support soldiers returning from World War II.

1948

Individual state and territory organisations join together to form the National Marriage Guidance Council of Australia.

1953

The Australian government begins providing valuable funding, allowing us to expand our reach and range of services.

1956

Reflecting the broader scope of our work and the changing needs and family choices of Australians, we rename to Relationships Australia.

1994

First annual ‘Neighbour Day’ is held, in response to the growing loneliness epidemic in Australia – encouraging neighbours to foster closer connections.

2002

We help over 33,000 people in NSW yearly through our 21 centres and outreach locations, as well as online, with an ever-expanding range of virtual services.

2022

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of Relationships Australia NSW. We reflect on the evolution of relationship connections over the past seven and a half decades.

2024

Our Values

Relationships at the heart

We believe strong relationships are the foundation of wellbeing. Building, nurturing, and supporting meaningful connections is at the heart of everything we do.

Here for Everyone

Whoever you are and wherever you're from, we’re here to listen and support. Everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and cared about.

A man and a child sitting side by side, immersed in reading a book together

Make it matter

Everything we do is about creating lasting change. We make sure our actions lead to real, positive results for people and their relationships.

Think Forward

We never stop evolving. With curiosity and creativity, we adapt our services to support people’s changing needs, today and tomorrow. 

Safety at the Core

We create environments where everyone feels secure, respected, and supported – especially in their most challenging or vulnerable moments.

Work Together

We achieve more when we work as one. By partnering with communities, organisations, and each other, we build stronger relationships and lasting impact.

Welcoming

Our commitment to diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity informs everything we do, from client service delivery, to recruitment and staff training.

Our services are welcoming and inclusive for everyone — regardless of cultural background, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, financial situation, or family structure. 

Listening

We offer connection, belonging and a place for people to feel seen and heard.

We’re passionate about building sustained and meaningful relationships and partnerships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and non Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Read more in our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). 

Influencing

Our work in thought leadership and with the media is a powerful way of connecting with millions of Australians to share relationship insights and knowledge

We also help to contribute to the public conversation through our speaking engagements at peak industry events and educational forums.

Woman looking up and forwards to the future.

Impact

Looking Ahead

Each year our Annual Reports are a chance for us to reflect on the previous year, celebrate the challenges we’ve overcome, and measure the impact we’ve had in the communities we work with.

Person talking to a group of people.

Board + Team Members

Our People

We couldn’t do what we do without the ongoing dedication of our talented and diverse team of staff and board members.

Relationships are the threads that connect us to each other and the world we all shape and share.

RELATIONSHIPS

CONNECT US

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