The discussion in this article uses data from the 1979 Canberra Population Survey to assess the degree and nature of the resistance to the use of sterilization particularly male sterilization. In the 1979 Canberra Population Survey respondents were asked what methods of contraception they would recommend to a couple who had completed their family. About 2/3 recommended sterilization with vasectomy a more popular 1st choice particularly for male respondents than tubal ligation. Compared to 20% of the 1978 sample 27% of the 1979 sample reported use of sterilization; the increase may reflect not only the increasing popularity of sterilization but also improved reporting. The 1979 survey provides some confirmation of the forecast that 60% of Australian couples would use contraceptive sterilization as a method of birth control in their fertile lifetime. However the forecast that the importance of vasectomy may come to equal that of tubal ligation seems highly unlikely even though there seems to be some recognition by Canberra respondents that vasectomy is simple safe and reliable. Data from the Canberra survey shows that although a majority of respondents would use sterilization female sterilization would be preferred largely because men were more resistant to the idea than females. Other researchers have commented on the feeling that fertility decisions and contraception are ultimately the wifes concern. Respondents born outside Australia the United Kingdom and Eire were more resistant to the idea of sterilization but reported higher use of tubal ligation. It is presently suggested that the choice of vasectomy or tubal ligation or resistance to these methods may in fact be important indicators of the assimilation of immigrants and of husband-wife communication of Australia. Future studies of sterilization in Australia might profit from focusing on sterilizationas an independent rather than a dependent variable.