In 1993-94, a random sample of 547 individuals authorized to perform marriages in Australia (marriage celebrants) and 560 couples from across Australia who had married in 1993 were surveyed regarding their views of premarriage education (PME) and the factors enhancing/inhibiting participation in PME programs (PMEPs). Of the marriage celebrants, 313 (57%) were religious. The survey established that PME means different things to different people. Religious celebrants were more likely to refer couples to PMEPs than nonreligious celebrants were. Only 14% of religious celebrants (versus 47% of civil marriage celebrants) believed that encouraging participation in PME was outside their role. The following factors were identified as the biggest barriers to participation in PME: lack of interest; time constraints; lack of family encouragement; lack of program relevance; and previous marriage. Nonparticipants had three reservations about current programs: purported religious nature and intrusiveness, confusion over the difference between counseling and education, and their value for divorcees who are remarrying. Dispositional factors (personal beliefs and attitudes about oneself, couplehood, and marriage) were the most significant reasons for nonparticipation. (Appended are the questionnaires, statistics on marriage by state, and statistical summaries of responses. Contains 66 references.) (MN)