The Body+Soul 2024 Sex Census: What's really going on Down Under?

Every question answered

The results of the Body+Soul 2024 Sex Census are in, and these are the steamy facts, spicy stats and NSFW revelations putting the ‘O’ in Oz. We uncover exactly what Aussies are doing – and not doing – in the bedroom (or the shower, or the garage, or the office…) 

How satisfied are you with your sex life? And do you think your partner would answer the same way if asked? It turns out that perhaps they would, because 62 per cent of men and 61 per cent of women in Australia are satisfied with their sex life, so much so that what people are getting up to in the bedroom (and other miscellaneous locations) is spicier than ever.

All is revealed in the Body+Soul 2024 Sex Census, re-booted to uncover what’s really going on Down Under. 

Today’s sexual landscape is more open and more fluid than before. Photography: Corrie Bond for Body+Soul

Since the last Body+Soul survey in 2019, there have been seismic shifts in Aussie society when it comes to sex, sexuality, relationships and dating.

Today’s landscape is more open and more fluid than before, with a greater number of respondents describing their sexual orientation as queer, demisexual, polysexual, sapiosexual, solosexual, bisexual, asexual and pansexual than when we last polled the nation five years ago.

Sexual satisfaction has also increased across the country since 2019 and, as you’ll read in this cover story, we’ve been taking it into our own hands, with more people self-pleasuring on most days of the week compared to five years ago.

We’ve also clearly been working on our stamina, too, as the average romp in 2024 lasts 16.5 minutes (compared to 12.2 minutes in 2019). Good on ya. 

What are Aussies really getting up to in the bedroom? Photography: Corrie Bond for Body+Soul

However, while some of these changes have been positive, there’s still a long way to go and many more important conversations that need to happen before we see a safer, fairer and more accepting landscape for all. Just one example is Australia’s orgasm gap – which appears to be worse than five years ago with only 16 per cent of women having an orgasm every time they have sex, compared to 44 per cent of men.

To discover what’s changed between 2019 and now, we polled over 2000 adults from every corner of the country, gaining anonymous insights into the sex lives of Australians. So sit back and discover what everyone else gets up to in the bedroom, take an undercover peek at people’s wildest fantasies and go behind closed doors to delve into deception and infidelity.

The orgasm gap is very real.

And while you might be surprised to learn we’re not having quite as much sex as you think, when Aussies are doing it, you’ll never believe where, how and who we wish we were doing it with instead.

Welcome to the results of the Body+Soul 2024 Sex Census – we’re so glad you came. 

Our biggest fantasies, unmasked. Photography: Corrie Bond for Body+Soul

The Nuts and Bolts 

Find out how often, when and where Australians are getting down and dirty.

Whether you’re reading this in a crowded cafe or from your home on a suburban street, chances are you think that your fellow coffee companions or next-door neighbours are getting way more action than you are.

Where are we having sex most?

Tick tock!

How long does sex really last for most Aussies?

And while Body+Soul’s 2024 Sex Census showed exactly how often you’re doing the deed, your favourite locations to get frisky and what time of day you’re most in the mood, the majority of us are wildly overestimating how often other people are getting down to business.

Is the guy at the next table enjoying his eggs Benedict getting laid as often as he says? Are the young married couple who moved in three doors down really shagging all over the house? Here’s a fascinating, eye-opening and no-holds-barred look at exactly how Aussies are getting off.

The majority of women say missionary is their favourite sex position.

Morning glory vs. afternoon delight – this is when most people are getting it on.

45% have sex once a week or more.

Generation Sex

From body-confident Boomers to adventurous Millennials, how does your gen measure up? 

The generational divide is always full of talking points – but the subject of sex is illuminating, to say the least. The Body+Soul 2024 Sex Census results turned out surprising trends among different age groups that not even we were expecting. Just a few examples?

Gen Z are the least likely to engage in oral sex.

Boomers are among the most likely generation to engage in oral sex.

Over-18 Gen Z’s proved to be more reserved than those who came before them, despite sex chat becoming less taboo for this empowered cohort. Meanwhile, Boomers are among the most likely generation to engage in oral sex and be more comfortable in their own skin, proving the sexual revolution they pioneered in the ’60s lives on today.

News flash: Euphoria isn't real life.

Deception Down Under

The stats don’t lie – here’s what’s happening on the fidelity front.

When we asked if you’ve been unfaithful to your partners, you didn’t hold back from serving up the truth. From getting sexy with a stranger to making whoopee with your colleague, Aussies revealed who they’re cheating with, whether their partners are aware of their indiscretion and where these sordid affairs are being conducted. 

Next Sunday, we’ll bring you more, including the nation’s thoughts on forgiveness, what classifies as cheating today (from emotional affairs to the ethics of sexting) and how partners found out.

The stats don't lie.

Does a hall pass count as cheating?

The Rise of Sex Tech

We take a peek inside the sex toy chest of Aussies and discover the accessories that get your good vibes going.

Once upon a time, the only way to access pleasure products was in dimly lit, adults-only establishments. Now, sex tech has transformed the sexual landscape – for the better. Today’s high-end toys are not only 100 per cent taboo-free, but they’re also considered luxury lifestyle products for both solo and partnered play.

Sex toys are part of a whole new empowerment movement.

We’re shopping for them in fancy department stores, throwing them into our supermarket trolleys during the weekly grocery run and ordering them online (at the click of a button, the wellness world’s hottest commodity can be delivered to your door).

And it’s not just about orgasms. Whether it’s getting to know our bodies better, discovering what turns us on or the added bonus of stress relief, they’re now part of a whole new empowerment movement.

These are the sex toys we're using most.

Your Deepest Desires

From shagging your favourite celeb to banging the boss, these are your wildest fantasies.

Whether you’re coupled up or single and ready to mingle, there’s always room for more excitement and adventure in our collective sex lives. From nookie with an ex or welcoming an extra player into the bedroom, to daydreaming about our gym buddies and baristas, we’ve uncovered the top sexual fantasies of Aussies right now.

Who are we fantasising about?

In wholesome news, couples will be pleased to know that most respondents are fantasising about getting down and dirty with their partner, even more so than their celeb crush (move over Chris Hemsworth and Margot Robbie).

And when it comes to the mental gymnastics getting us hot under the collar, turns out three really is the magic number. 

What scenarios are we fantasising about most?

Can't get enough? For all the spicy details from our nationwide survey, head to bodyandsoul.com.au/sexcensus

Originally published as The Body+Soul 2024 Sex Census: What's really going on Down Under?