The Federal Government wants to reduce the rates of divorce in Australia by shifting its policy to focus on early intervention in troubled relationships, Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews says.

In 2012, 49,917 divorces were granted in Australia, an increase of 2 per cent, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The Government has plans to set up an expert panel on early intervention to lower the divorce rate.

Mr Andrews said it was important to reduce divorce because research showed that, as a cohort, children of divorced parents did not perform as well in terms of their education, health and employment outcomes.

"If we can help people who may be able to reconcile their differences and keep their relationship together, particularly for children, then I believe that's a good thing," Mr Andrews said.

"The Government's involved when divorce occurs whether we like it or not.

"We're involved through the family court, we're involved through providing significant amounts of welfare, particularly to parents where the relationship has broken down and they're still caring for children.

"My argument here is that if we're going to be involved we should be involved at the end of trying to prevent this and involved in early intervention rather than just helping to pick up the pieces."

'Very good start' for Government counselling vouchers

Mr Andrews said about 400 people have taken up the Government's offer of $200 couples counselling vouchers since the pilot scheme was introduced last week.

The scheme has been budgeted at $20 million and limited to 100,000 couples in its pilot year.

The total divorces granted 1992-2012 according to the ABS. ( Australian Bureau of Statistics )

Mr Andrews said the early take up was a good start.

"We're getting about up to 100 a day, each weekday,"

"This has been limited to about 100,000 couples so if we get a bit under 2,000 a week that would use the 100,000 up a year.

"At the moment, given it's only been in operation for a week, I think it's a very good start."