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This article analyses the fertility decline in AustraliaJocussing on the periodfrom 1991 to 2000 when fertility data by women'~. age and parity status are available. Itfinds that much ofthe decline is due to increased childlessne~'S and 10 the postponement offirst births. Second birth rates for woman who are at parity one~· talus have remained quite high. Higher parity births remain low bUl, expressed as a rate ofthO! ie eligible to acliieve Ihem, have 1I0t declined significantly.

An examination of fertility rates in Australia indicates a fall over time in both period and cohort fertilily. Period total fertility has been below replacement level for twenty-five years, while cohorts of women completing their ferlility in the first decade of the 21st century are likely to have around replacement-level fertility. Policy-makers and others in Australia are concerned about the potential for further fertility decline, given the impact this would have on …