AMP and National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling find quarter of Australian women make more money than their partners Shae McCartney and husband Graham Moran with their children George, 6, and Oliver 8. The study found the number of same-sex couples increased 72 per cent in the past decade. WOMEN are the main breadwinners in one in four homes, and marriages are lasting longer. A report released today by AMP and the National Center for Social and Eocnomic Modelling provides a telling snapshot of the modern Australian family, with 521,000 women now earning more than their partners. The report also reveals a growing number of families have two earners - almost 60 per cent of couples with children work, compared to 40 per cent in the 1980s. Is mum the breadwinner in your family? Share your stories in the comments section below. "The cost of living has risen while salaries have not and that has made families take stock and work out how to survive financially," AMP's Tony Rigby said. The old-fashioned view that the man has to be the main earner is no longer an issue. You have to look at who has the stronger career path and the higher earning potential. Brisbane lawyer Shae McCartney has been married to Graham Moran for 10 years and they have two children. Graham used to manage a service station but today Shae is the sole breadwinner in the family. "Since we had the children we tried working part-time but we came to realise that it would be much better if Graham stayed home to look after the children," Ms McCartney said. "He often says that he is grateful that he gets to be there every step of his boys growing up," she said. The report, which crunches data from 2001 to 2011, found that close to 80 per cent of Australians live together before marriage, up from 72 per cent 10 years ago. There has been a drop in the annual marriage rate from 6.6 marriages per 1000 people to 5.5 in the past decade. The number of blended and stepfamilies has doubled in recent decades. Divorce rates in Australia have stabilised at 2.2 per 1000 people and marriages are lasting longer - on average 12 years, up from 10 in 1991. More than half of all Australians support equal rights for same-sex couples when it comes to marriage and children - up 14 per cent in five years. The number of same-sex couples has surged 72 per cent in the 10 years to 2011, with most of this growth coming from non-metropolitan areas. 25 per cent of women bring home more money than partner 27 per cent of low-income families are more reliant on female breadwinners, compared with 25 per cent of middle income and 17 per cent of high income families. Tasmania has the most female breadwinners nationally at 35 per cent The number of female breadwinners rose across all income levels during times of global financial crisis, from 22 per cent to 24 per cent 78 per cent of couples are living together before marriage, up from 72 per cent 10 years ago Civil wedding ceremonies almost doubled since 1991 Number of same-sex couples has increased 72 per cent in 10 years Marriages are lasting longer, on average 12 years, up from 10 years in 1991