PIP: Data on ever-married women 15-17 and all women 18-44 from the 1986 Australian Family Formation Survey were examined for childbearing patterns. Transition from high to low fertility began between 1961-66 and 1971-76 from a peak in 1961 of 3.55 children/woman to 1.85 in 1976. Since 1985, there has been stabilization. During these periods, there was socioeconomic change which necessitated small families. Marriage age rose, childbearing was delayed, and childlessness within marriage increased. The fertility age range narrowed. Parity distribution among younger cohorts was lower, and the % distribution of women with 2 children was higher. Birth order specific parity progression ratios (PPRs) and birth intervals are calculated using the life table technique. Exposure is within marriage and not since marriage. Those women with dissolved marriages had lower PPRs. The following patterns emerge from the graphic display of the cumulative proportions of women who had a subsequent child by duration since marriage or the previous birth by parity cohort: 1) there were a higher proportion having a 1st birth within 5 years of marriage and with shorter birth intervals pre-1971. Post-1971, the cumulative proportion of women having a 1st birth within 5 years of marriage remained around 76% vs. 90% for marriage cohorts of 1956-70. Exnuptial births were also higher after 1970, from 4% to 11%. Delayed childbearing and childlessness is evident. 2) Progression from 1st to 2nd birth remained almost the same in both periods, suggesting the preference for a 2-child family norm. 3) The progression to a 3rd birth was lower post-1970, from 20% to 16%. The progression to a 4th birth declined considerably, from 45% in 1966-70 to 27% in 1971-75 and 1976-80. Interparity cohort differences reveal further the decline in PPR to the 1st birth over time. The proportion having a 1st birth after 5 years of marriage was 89% in 1966, 86% in 1966-70, and 72% in 1971-75. Also, post-1970, the higher the marriage age the lower the PPR to the 1st birth and the longer the interval between marriage and 1st birth. The highest PPR and shortest interval to 1st birth was for married women 19 years. Those women marrying after 23 years had higher PPRs to 1st birth and shorter birth intervals than those 19-23 years; this is attributed to a catching up effect. There has been a convergence on a 2-child family norm, which is also reflected in the preference of 87.8% of ever-married women 15-44 years.