This variable counts the number of dependent and non-dependent children in the family. It includes up to three children who were temporarily absent from the household on Census Night.

Families with children in family households

This variable is created from the relationship in household, age, attendance at an educational institution and persons temporarily absent (PTA) questions on the Census form.

Children present in the household are counted if they are part of the family and are classified as one of the following Relationship in household (RLHP) categories:

• children under 15 (categories 31-36)
• dependent student (categories 41-43)
• non-dependent child (categories 51-53)

Children who are absent from the household on Census Night are counted from responses to the PTA questions. The responses are first categorised based on age and student status and then counted in this variable. The three temporarily absent child variables are:

• Count of dependent children under 15 temporarily absent (CDCAF)
• Count of dependent students (15-24 years) temporarily absent (CDSAF)
• Count of non-dependent children temporarily absent (CNDAF)

This variable was first introduced in 2011.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Care should be taken when comparing this variable to other family data from within the ABS or external organisations or agencies. The definition of a family can differ between different statistical collections and may not match Census definitions.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Count of dependent children under 15 in family (CDCUF)
• Count of dependent children in family (CDCF)   
• Count of dependent students in family (15 – 24 years) (CDSF)
• Count of non-dependent children in family (CNDCF)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Child
• Family

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable counts the number of dependent children aged under 15 years that were reported as temporarily absent from the family.

Families which include children aged under 15 years

This variable is derived from the persons temporarily absent (PTA) questions on the Census form to count the number of children under 15 who were absent from the family on Census Night. Dependent children under 15 are classified if they form a parent child relationship and are 0-14 years of age.

This variable was first introduced in 1996. Prior to 2016, information on dependent children was available in a variable called Dependent offspring present (CDPF). This was a single count of dependent children Temporarily absent.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Usual residents may not be included in the household’s Census form because they were away from the dwelling on Census Night. In this case they should be included in the persons temporarily absent section of the form. This can occur in both family and group households. Due to form limitations, a maximum of three people can be reported and coded as temporarily absent from the dwelling. If more than three people are absent from the household, the additional people are unable to be included on the form.

Care should be taken when comparing this variable to other family data from within the ABS or external organisations or agencies. The definition of a family can differ between different statistical collections and may not match Census definitions.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form.

• Count of dependent children under 15 in family (CDCUF)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Child
• Temporarily absent

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable counts the number of dependent children in the family. A dependent child is a person who is either a child under 15 years of age, or a dependent student aged 15-24 years. It includes up to three dependent children who were temporarily absent from the dwelling on Census Night.

Families with children in family households

This variable is created from responses to relationship in household, age, attendance at an educational institution and persons temporarily absent (PTA) questions on the Census form. 

It counts the number of dependent children in couple families and one parent families.

The Family composition (FMCF) variable is used to determine whether the family is a couple family or a one parent family. 

Dependent children present in the household are counted if they are part of the family and are classified as one of the following Relationship in household (RLHP) categories:

• children under 15 (categories 31-36)
• dependent student (categories 41-43)

Dependent children who are temporarily absent from the household on Census Night are counted from the following variables:

• Count of dependent children under 15 temporarily absent (CDCAF)
• Count of dependent students (15-24 years) temporarily absent (CDSAF)

This variable was first introduced in 2011.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Usual residents may not be included in the household’s Census form because they were away from the dwelling on Census Night. In this case they should be included in the Persons temporarily absent section of the form. This can occur in both family and group households. Due to form limitations, a maximum of three people can be reported and coded as temporarily absent from the dwelling. If more than three people are absent from the household, the additional people are unable to be included on the form.

Care should be taken when comparing this variable to other family data from within the ABS or external organisations or agencies. The definition of a family can differ between different statistical collections and may not match Census definitions.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Count of non-dependent children in family (CNCDF)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Child

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable counts the number of dependent children aged under 15 years in a family. It includes up to three dependent children aged under 15 years who were temporarily absent from the household on Census Night.

Families which include dependent children aged under 15 years in household

This variable is derived from responses to the Relationship in household question and persons temporarily absent (PTA) questions on the Census form. It counts the number of dependent children in couple families and one parent families using the following variables:

• Family composition (FMCF)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Count of dependent children under 15 years in family temporarily absent (CDCAF)

This variable is new for 2021.

Care should be taken when comparing this variable to other family data from within the ABS or external organisations or agencies. The definition of a family can differ between different statistical collections and may not match Census definitions.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Count of dependent children under 15 in family temporarily absent (CDCAF)   
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Child

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable counts the number of dependent students aged 15-24 years that were reported as temporarily absent in a family. It includes up to three dependent students who were temporarily absent from the dwelling on Census Night.

Families which include dependent students aged 15-24 years

This variable is derived from responses to the persons temporarily absent (PTA) questions on the Census form. Dependent students (15-24 years) are classified if they are 15-24 years of age and a full-time student.

This variable was first introduced in 1996. Prior to 2016, information on dependent children was available in the Dependent offspring present (CDPF) variable. This was a single count of dependent children temporarily absent.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Usual residents may not be included in the household’s Census form because they were away from the dwelling on Census Night. In this case they should be included in the persons temporarily absent section of the form. This can occur in both family and group households. Due to form limitations, a maximum of three people can be reported and coded as temporarily absent from the dwelling. If more than three people are absent from the household, the additional people are unable to be included on the form.

Care should be taken when comparing this variable to other family data from within the ABS or external organisations or agencies. The definition of a family can differ between different statistical collections and may not match Census definitions.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Count of dependent students (15 – 24 years) in family (CDSF)
• Child
• Temporarily absent

• People
• Household and families: Census
• Persons temporarily absent

This variable counts the number of dependent students aged 15-24 years in a family. It includes up to three dependent students aged 15-24 years who were temporarily absent from the household on Census Night. 

Families which include dependent students aged 15-24 years

This variable is created from responses to relationship in household, age, attendance at a educational institution and persons temporarily absent (PTA) questions on the Census form. 

It counts the number of dependent students (15-24 years) in couple families and one parent families.

The Family composition (FMCF) variable is used to determine whether the family is a couple family or a one parent family. 

Dependent  students present in the household are counted if they are part of the family and are classified as one of the following Relationship in household (RLHP) categories:

• 41 Natural or adopted dependent student
• 42 Student step child
• 43 Student foster child

Up to three dependent students (15-24 years) who are temporarily absent from the household on Census Night can be counted in the Count of dependent students (15-24 years) temporarily absent (CDSAF) variable.

This variable is new for 2021.

Care should be taken when comparing this variable to other family data from within the ABS or external organisations or agencies. The definition of a family can differ between different statistical collections and may not match Census definitions.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Count of dependent students (15 – 24 years) in family temporarily absent (CDSAF)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Child

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable counts the number of non-dependent children reported as temporarily absent from the family on Census Night. A maximum of three people can be reported and coded as temporarily absent from the dwelling.

A non-dependent child refers to a natural, adopted, step or foster child of a couple or lone parent usually resident in the household. They are aged 15 years and over and not a full-time student aged 15-24 years. They also have no identified partner or child of their own usually resident in the household.

Families which include non-dependent children

This variable is derived from responses to the persons temporarily absent (PTA) questions on the Census form. Non-dependent children are classified if they are:

• children who are 15-24 years of age who are not full-time students
• children aged 25 years and over

This variable was first introduced in 1996. It replaced a variable called Other offspring temporarily absent (COAF).

No changes have been made for 2021.

Usual residents may not be included in the household’s Census form because they were away from the dwelling on Census Night. In this case they should be included in the Persons temporarily absent section of the form. This can occur in both family and group households. Due to form limitations, a maximum of three people can be reported and coded as temporarily absent from the dwelling. If more than three people are absent from the household, the additional people are unable to be included on the form.

Care should be taken when comparing this variable to other family data from within the ABS or external organisations or agencies. The definition of a family can differ between different statistical collections and may not match Census definitions.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Count of non-dependent children in family (CNDCF)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Child
• Temporarily absent

• People
• Household and families: Census
• Persons temporarily absent

This variable counts the number of non-dependent children in the family. It includes up to three non-dependent children who were temporarily absent from the household on Census Night.

A non-dependent child refers to a natural, adopted, step or foster child of a couple or lone parent usually resident in the household. They are aged 15 years and over and not a full-time student aged 15-24 years. They also have no identified partner or child of their own usually resident in the household.

Families with children in family households

This variable is created from responses to relationship in household, age, attendance at a educational institution and persons temporarily absent (PTA) questions on the Census form. 

It counts the number of non-dependent children in couple families and one parent families.

The Family composition (FMCF) variable is used to determine whether the family is a couple family or a one parent family. 

Non-dependent children present in the household are counted if they are part of the family and are classified as one of the following Relationship in household (RLHP) categories:

• 51 Non-dependent natural, or adopted child
• 52 Non-dependent step child
• 53 Non-dependent foster child

Up to three non-dependent children who are temporarily absent from the household on Census Night can be counted from the variable Count of dependent students (15-24 years) temporarily absent (CDSAF).

This variable was first introduced in 2011.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Usual residents may not be included in the household’s Census form because they were away from the dwelling on Census Night. In this case they should be included in the Persons temporarily absent section of the form. This can occur in both family and group households. Due to form limitations, a maximum of three people can be reported and coded as temporarily absent from the dwelling. If more than three people are absent from the household, the additional people are unable to be included on the form.

Care should be taken when comparing this variable to other family data from within the ABS or external organisations or agencies. The definition of a family can differ between different statistical collections and may not match Census definitions.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Count of dependent children in family (CDCF)
• Count of non-dependent children in family temporarily absent (CNDAF) 
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Child

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable counts the total number of people who were reported as temporarily absent from the household. A maximum of three people can be reported and coded as temporarily absent.

Family and group households

This variable is derived from the persons temporarily absent (PTA) questions on the Census form. The count includes:

• husbands/wives
• de facto partners
• unrelated flatmates or co-tenants
• children (i.e. dependent children under 15 years, dependent students (15-24 years) and non-dependent children).

This question was first asked in the 1986 Census.

No changes have been made for 2021.

This data is subject to a family coding process so that only those persons who form a Family group (that is partners, children and grandchildren aged under 15 years), and Unrelated persons living in group households are included. Family members who are not identified as members of the Family group are not included in Count of persons temporarily absent from household.

Usual residents may not be included in the household’s Census form because they were away from the dwelling on Census Night. In this case they should be included in the Persons temporarily absent section of the form. This can occur in both Family and Group households. Due to form limitations, a maximum of three people can be reported and coded as Temporarily absent from the dwelling. If more than three people are absent from the household, the additional people are unable to be included on the form.

Care should be taken when comparing this variable to other family data from within the ABS or external organisations or agencies. The definition of a family can differ between different statistical collections and may not match Census definitions.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Count of dependent children under 15 in family temporarily absent (CDCAF)   
• Count of dependent students (15 – 24 years) in family temporarily absent (CDSAF)
• Count of non-dependent children in family temporarily absent (CNDAF) 
• Temporarily absent

• People
• Household and families: Census
• Persons temporarily absent

This variable counts the total number of people who were temporarily absent from a family on Census Night. The count of persons temporarily absent includes husbands/wives/partners, de facto partners, and children (dependent children aged under 15 years, dependent students (15-24 years) and non-dependent children). A maximum of three people can be coded as temporarily absent in the dwelling.

Families in family households

This variable is derived from the persons temporarily absent (PTA) questions on the Census form. Persons included in the main family structure are processed to create this variable. They include:

• partner
• child
• grandchild aged under 15.

Other family members not included in the main family structure are removed.

This question was first introduced in 1996.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Usual residents may not be included in the household’s Census form because they were away from the dwelling on Census Night. In this case they should be included in the Persons temporarily absent section of the form. This can occur in both family and group households. Due to form limitations, a maximum of three people can be reported and coded as temporarily absent from the dwelling. If more than three people are absent from the household, the additional people are unable to be included on the form.

Care should be taken when comparing this variable to other family data from within the ABS or external organisations or agencies. The definition of a family can differ between different statistical collections and may not match Census definitions.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Count of dependent children under 15 in family temporarily absent (CDCAF)   
• Count of dependent students (15 – 24 years) in family temporarily absent (CDSAF)
• Count of non-dependent children in family temporarily absent (CNDAF) 
• Count of persons in family (CPRF)
• Family
• Temporarily absent

• People
• Household and families: Census
• Persons temporarily absent

This variable counts the number of people in a family.

It includes other related people such as: 

• people outside of the primary couple relationship
• people outside of a lone parent-child relationship
• non blood relatives (e.g. in-laws).

Families in family households

This variable is derived from the following variables:

• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Count of persons temporarily absent family (CPAF)

It includes up to three persons who were temporarily absent from the family on Census Night.

This variable was first introduced in 2011.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Usual residents may not be included in the household’s Census form because they were away from the dwelling on Census Night. In this case they should be included in the persons temporarily absent section of the form. This can occur in both family and group households. Due to form limitations, a maximum of three people can be reported and coded as temporarily absent from the dwelling. If more than three people are absent from the household, the additional people are unable to be included on the form.

Care should be taken when comparing this variable to other family data from within the ABS or external organisations or agencies. The definition of a family can differ between different statistical collections and may not match Census definitions.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Count of persons temporarily absent from family (CPAF)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Family

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable records the different child types within a family, including grandchildren. It recognises a grandchild regardless of the age of the grandchild. This variable is different to the standard Child type (CTPP) variable which does not capture grandchildren. 

This variable can only be used with other related grandparent/grandchild variables. These variables are:

• Grandparent families (FMGF)
• Relationship in household (including grandchildren) (RLGP)

It cannot be used with standard family variables.

All children

This variable is created using responses to the relationship in household, age, attendance at an educational institution and persons temporarily absent (PTA) questions on the Census form. It is derived from the Relationship in household (including grandparents) (RLGP) variable.

This variable classifies a person as a grandchild, regardless of age, if their Relationship in household (including grandchildren) (RLGP) to the family reference person is either a:

• 34 Grandchild under 15
• 44 Dependent student grandchild
• 54 Non dependent grandchild

Child type (including grandchildren) (CTGP) is different to the standard family variable Child type (CTPP). The table below outlines these differences and how each variable classifies the child.

This variable was created in 2011.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Users should note that grandparent-grandchild relationships are constructed for the purposes of family coding in order to create a statistical family. It may not be representative of who provides care.

For example, a scenario could be that a 20 year old grandchild lives with her grandmother. She is a full-time student and is dependent on her grandmother. Alternatively, she may have moved in with her grandmother specifically to take care of her. It is important that users do not make assumptions about grandparent families.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form.

• Grandparent families (FMGF)
• Relationship in household (including grandchildren) (RLGP)
• Child

• People
• Family, Household and Income Unit Variables
• Household and families: Census

This variable identifies different parent-child relationships within families.

All children

This variable is derived from the Relationship in household question on the Census form.

Children are classified as:

• A ‘child’ if the person is aged under 15 years of age
• 'Otherwise related child' when they live with another adult relative (e.g. older sibling, aunt, uncle) and no natural, adoptive, step-, foster-, or grand- parent is identified
• 'Unrelated child' when no relative is identified within the same dwelling.

Persons aged over 15 years and over are classified as:

• ‘Children’ if they are living with a natural, adoptive, step, foster or grandparent
• 'Not applicable’ if they are a boarder and/or lodger aged 15 years and over

In some cases, children are listed on the Census form as Person 2. In this case, if both parents are usual residents, the response 'Child of both Person 1 and Person 2' is not available in the relationship question for Person 2. Coders attempt to establish whether the child was a step child or child of both parents using other information such as surname.

A question on the relationships between members of a household has been asked in all censuses since 1911. This variable has been output since 1991.

No changes have been made for 2021.

This variable captures complex family structures such as blended families or multiple generations of families within a household. The quality of family data in the Census is partly dependent on people’s ability to describe these relationships within the constraints of the generalised questionnaire format required by a Census.

The categories 'step child' and 'foster child' are not necessarily pure counts as a parent may report such a child as being a child of Person 1 and Person 2. In this case the child would be classified as a 'natural child'.

Cross classification of Child type (CTPP) with Family composition (FMCF) allows analysis of different family types.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form.

• Child type (including grandchildren) (CTGP)
• Family composition (FMCF)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Adopted child
• Child
• Foster child
• Step child

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable classifies couple families with children living in private dwellings, based on the parent-child relationships within them.

Couple families with children

This variable is derived from the Relationship in household and Persons temporarily absent questions on the Census form. Temporarily absent children are taken into consideration when classifying families.

Families are only derived for occupied private dwellings where a family composition can be determined from the relationship within the household.

This variable was first introduced in 2006.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Usual residents may not be included in the household’s Census form because they were away from the dwelling on Census Night. In this case they should be included in the Persons temporarily absent section of the form. This can occur in both Family and Group households.

Due to form limitations, a maximum of three people can be reported and coded as Temporarily absent from the dwelling. If more than three people are absent from the household, the additional people are unable to be included on the form.

Reporting relationships in respect to ‘Person 1’ on the Census form can make it difficult to establish the relationships within a household, especially dwellings containing blended families. In some cases, further information is used during processing to help determine relationships. This includes:

• Surname or family name
• Usual residence
• Marital status

If a child is listed on the Census form as 'Person 2' and both parents are usual residents, the response 'Child of both Person 1 and Person 2' is not available in the relationship question for 'Person 2'. In these cases an attempt is made to establish whether the child was a step-child or child of both parents using information such as surname. Despite these attempts there may be a small proportion of children coded to 'step-child' who may be a child of both parents. There may also be cases where the child of reference person (and a step-child of the partner) is incorrectly coded as a child of both parents.

Care should be taken when comparing this variable to other family data from within the ABS or external organisations or agencies. The definition of a family can differ between different statistical collections and may not match Census definitions.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form.

• Family composition (FMCF)
• Grandparent families (FMGF)
• Relationship between families (FRLF)
• Family household composition (family) (HCFMF)
• Household composition (HHCD)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Family
• Couple family

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable classifies families into different family types. It uses a single family reference person and classifies each member around that person.

When classifying families into different types, information about temporarily absent family members is used.

This variable distinguishes between different types of families based on the presence or absence of couple relationships, parent-child relationships, child dependency relationships or other familial relationships, in that order of preference.

Families in family households

This variable is derived from the Relationship and persons temporarily absent questions on the Census form. During data processing, families are identified and created based around a ‘family reference person’, usually person 1 recorded on the Census form.

This variable distinguishes between different types of families based on the presence or absence of couple relationships, parent-child relationships, child dependency relationships or other family relationships, in that order of preference. Families are classified in terms of the relationships that exist between a single family reference person and each other member of that family.

Reporting relationships in respect of 'Person 1' on the form, can make it difficult to establish all the relationships that exist in a household, or to identify whether more than one family is living in the dwelling. In some cases, additional information such as surname, usual residence and marital status are used during data processing to help determine these relationships.

This variable was first introduced in the 2006 Census to replace Family type (FMTF).

No changes have been made for 2021.

Across the community, a wide variety of living arrangements exist therefore family structures can be complex and dynamic in nature. The quality of family data in the Census is dependent on people’s ability to describe these relationships with the usual residence in the household.

This variable relates only to the basic composition of a family and is the principle family variable used in family tabulations. Demographic characteristics of the different family compositions can be established with cross tabulation with:

• Location of spouse (SPLF)
• Tenure type (TEND)
• Dwelling structure (STRD)
• Family number (FNOF)
• Total family income (weekly) (FINF)

Note: There is no provision for 'other related individuals' in second and third families.

If more than three families are found in a household, only three families are separately classified. Any other people are classified as either related family members or non-family members as appropriate and are attached to family one.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form.

• Family blending (FBLF)
• Relationship between families (FRLF)
• Family household composition (dwelling) (HCFMD)
• Family household composition (family) (HCFMF)
• Household composition (HHCD)
• Relationship in household (including grandchildren) (RLGP)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Family/household reference person indicator (RPIP)
• Census counts
• Couple family
• Family
• Multiple family households
• Nominal child
• Other family
• Other related individual
• Parent
• Parent-child relationship
• Personal form

• People
• Household and families: Census
• Understanding Family composition and Grandparent families

This variable classifies families into different family types depending on the composition of the family. It differs from the standard Family composition (FMCF) variable because it recognises grandparent-grandchild relationships.

Grandparent families are recognised when there is a grandparent-grandchild relationship present and no parent-child relationship present in a family.

This variable can only be used with other related grandparent/grandchild variables. These variables are:

• Child type (including grandchildren) (CTGP)
• Relationship in household (including grandchildren) (RLGP)

It cannot be used with standard family variables.

Families with grandchildren

This variable is created using responses to the relationship in household, age, attendance at an education institution and persons temporarily absent (PTA) questions on the Census form.

It only counts families where there is a grandparent-grandchild relationship present and no parent-child relationship present in a family. All other families are coded to not applicable.

When classifying families into different grandparent family types the following information is used:

• Relationship in household (including grandchildren) (RLGP) variable for family members present in the household on Census Night
• PTA questions for family members who were temporarily absent from the household on Census Night

The table below shows how grandparent-grandchild relationships are coded differently between the Grandparent families (FMGF) and the standard Family composition (FMCF) variable.

This variable was first introduced in 2011 to enable grandparent families to be identified more easily within the data.

No changes have been made for 2021.

During Census family coding, all children under 15 years of age are allocated a nominal parent if their parent/s are not present in the household on Census Night, or if the parent/s were not reported as temporarily absent. Nominal parents can be the child's sibling, grandparent, aunt/uncle or other related individuals.

Grandparent families are recognised where a grandparent/s is allocated as the nominal parent or where there is only a grandparent-grandchild relationship present in the family (and no parent-child relationship). When a parent is temporarily absent from the family and their relationship to the child cannot be determined, the relationship cannot be coded. This can result in a small number of children being reported incorrectly as grandchildren when a parent is simply absent on Census Night.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form.

• Child type (including grandchildren) (CTGP)
• Relationship in household (including grandchildren) (RLGP)
• Family

• People
• Household and families: Census
• Understanding Family composition and Grandparent families

This variable categorises multiple families in a household as either the primary, second or third family. Families in a one family household are always classified as the primary family.

Families in family households

This variable is derived from the Relationship in household question on the Census form.

In a multiple family household, a maximum of three families can be identified. In cases where more than three families are identified in a household, the first three families are coded. The other persons are classified as either related family members of the primary family or non-family members.

Where there is more than one family in a household on Census Night, the family with dependent children is designated as the primary family. If there was more than one family, and no children were present in the household, then the first family identified on the Census form becomes the primary family.

This variable was first introduced in 1971, to replace the previously used Family group (FMGF) variable. The mnemonic used has changed several times.

No changes have been made for 2021.

The maximum of three families in a household may have only a small effect on the total number of families overall. However, the impact may be more significant among population groups who are more likely to live in multi-generational households or with large numbers of extended family members.

The term 'Primary family' is an ABS term that is used to aid coding of household relationships. This should not be misinterpreted as signifying that this is the main family in the household or the family that owns the house or for any other reason, other than for ABS relationship coding purposes.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from one or more questions on the Census form.

• Family composition (FMCF)
• Relationship between families (FRLF)
• Family household composition (dwelling) (HCFMD)
• Family household composition (family) (HCFMF)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Family
• Multiple family households

• People

• Household and families: Census

This variable records the usually resident parent in a family household. It identifies parents of children in family households, provided the parent and child were counted in the same family, or were reported as temporarily absent on Census Night.

Parents present in the household on Census Night

This variable is derived from the sex and relationship in household questions on the Census form.

This variable identifies parents of children in family households, provided the parent and child were counted in the same family on Census Night, or reported as 'Person temporarily absent' (PTA) on Census Night.

Parents are counted if there are:

• dependent children aged under 15 years
• dependent students aged 15–24 years
• non-dependent children present in the family.

Children under 15 years of age are allocated a 'nominal parent' if their parent/s are not present in the household on Census Night, or if the parent/s were not reported as temporarily absent. 'Nominal parents' can be the child's sibling, grandparent, aunt/uncle or other related individuals. Only dependent grandchildren-grandparent relationships are counted. Non-dependent grandchildren are excluded.

This variable is new for 2021.

Parents of children or students reported in Census data releases will include same-sex parents and opposite sex parents.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form.

• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Sex of lone parent (SLPP)
• Sex (SEXP)

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable describes the relationship between families within a household. The variable Family number (FNOF) is required to identify the primary, second or third family counted within the household.

The relationship described is between the primary family and the second or third family. For example, in a household there is a primary couple family with children and a second couple family. The second family consists of the parents of the reference person in the primary family. This second family would be identified as ‘Mother’s/father’s family'.

Two or three family households

This variable is derived from the Relationship in household question on the Census form. This question is used to determine the relationships people have with others in a multi-family household. Persons temporarily absent are also taken into consideration.

This variable was first introduced in 1991.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Relationship between families categories of 'Mother's/father's family' (FRLF category 1) and 'Son's/daughter's family' (FRLF category 3) are complementary. To find the number of families living with a family that contains a parent or child of one of the family members, users should consider both categories combined.

Users are faced with a similar situation when looking at 'Grandparent's families' and 'Grandchild families' (FRLF categories 2 and 4). Any one of these categories used in isolation will not give a full count of family pairs bound by a specified relationship.

During data processing the relationships identified are used to derive the relationship of each family to the household’s ‘primary family’. A 'primary family' is an ABS term that is used to aid coding of household relationships, and should not be misinterpreted as signifying the family that owns the house, or the 'main' family for any reason other than ABS family and household coding purposes.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form.

• Family composition (FMCF)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Family
• Household
• Multiple family households

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable counts the types of families within family households at the dwelling level. In multiple family households, only the family composition of the primary family is recorded.

Occupied private dwellings

This variable uses information collected from the Relationship in household and the Persons temporarily absent questions on the Census form.

Family and Household structures are identified during Census data processing and are created around a family or household reference person. This variable is derived from the Family composition (FMCF) and Household composition (HHCD) variables.

This variable was first introduced in 2011.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Across the community, a wide variety of living arrangements exist with complex family structures. The quality of family data in the Census is partly dependent on people’s ability to describe these relationships within the constraints of the generalised questionnaire format required by a Census. Reporting relationships in respect of 'Person 1' only, can make it difficult to establish all the relationships which exist in a household, or to identify whether more than one family is living in the dwelling.

A maximum of three families can be coded to a household. Lone person households can contain visitors. Visitor only households can contain overseas visitors.

The 'Other not classifiable' category consists mainly of occupied dwellings where a form was not received. It also includes households:

• Which the ABS Field Officer determined were occupied on Census Night but where the ABS Field Officer could not make contact
• That contained only persons aged under 15 years
• Which could not be classified elsewhere in this classification because there was insufficient information on the Census form.

Care should be taken when comparing this variable to other family data from within the ABS or external organisations or agencies. The definition of a family can differ between different statistical collections and may not match Census definitions.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form.

• Family composition (FMCF)
• Household composition (HHCD)
• Family household composition (family) (HCFMF)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable counts the types of families within family households at the family level. In multiple family households all family types are counted.

Families in family households

This variable uses information collected from the Relationship in household and the Persons temporarily absent questions on the Census form.

Family and household structures are identified during Census data processing and are created around a family or household reference person. This variable is derived from the Family composition (FMCF) and Household composition (HHCD) variables.

This variable was first introduced in 2011.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Care should be taken when comparing this variable to other family data from within the ABS or external organisations or agencies. The definition of a family can differ between statistical collections and may not match Census definitions.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form.

• Family composition (FMCF)
• Family household composition (dwelling) (HCFMD)
• Household composition (HHCD)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable describes the type of household within a dwelling. It indicates if a family is present on Census Night and if other unrelated household members are present.

Occupied private dwellings

This variable is derived from the Relationship in household and Persons temporarily absent questions on the Census form.

Family and Household structures are identified during Census data processing and are created around a family or household reference person. Persons identified as temporarily absent on Census Night are taken into consideration when deriving Household composition. This allows for identification of some family types and helps distinguish between lone person and group households.

This variable was first used in the 2006 Census. Between 1986 and 2001 some information had been collected through the variable Household type. Other information on families was also collected prior to 1986, though the older variables did not contain as much detail as what has been collected in recent years.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Across the community, a wide variety of living arrangements exist with complex family structures. The quality of family data in the Census is partly dependent on people’s ability to describe these relationships within the constraints of the generalised questionnaire format required by a Census. Reporting relationships in respect of 'Person 1' only, can make it difficult to establish all the relationships which exist in a household, or to identify whether more than one family is living in the dwelling.

A maximum of three families can be coded to a household. Lone person households can contain visitors. Visitor only households can contain overseas visitors.

The 'Other not classifiable' category consists mainly of occupied dwellings where a form was not received (3.8% of all occupied private dwellings). It also includes households:

• which the ABS Field Officer determined were occupied on Census Night but where the ABS Field Officer could not make contact
• that contained only persons aged under 15 years
• which could not be classified elsewhere in this classification because there was insufficient information on the Census form.

Care should be taken when comparing this variable to other family data from within the ABS or external organisations or agencies. The definition of a family can differ between statistical collections and may not match Census definitions.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Family composition (FMCF)
• Family household composition (dwelling) (HCFMD)
• Family household composition (family) (HCFMF)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Average persons per household
• Census counts
• Group household
• Household
• Personal form

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable indicates if a person's Registered marital status (MSTP) was imputed.

Applicable to:

• all responding people aged 15 years and over
• all imputed people in private dwellings
• imputed people aged 15 years and over in non-private dwellings and migratory, off-shore, and shipping areas

Registered marital status imputation is carried out by finding a similar person in a similar responding dwelling based on the variables:

• Sex (SEXP)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Age (AGEP)
• Dwelling type (DWTD) and
• Type of non-private dwelling (NPDD)

Registered marital status is only imputed for people aged 15 years and over and set to 'Not applicable' for people aged under 15 years.

For further information on imputation see, Registered Marital status (MSTP) and Imputation in the Census Glossary. 

No changes have been made for 2021.

The primary imputation method used for the 2021 Census is known as hotdecking. Other imputation processes use probability methods. In general the hotdecking method involves locating a donor record and copying the relevant responses to the record requiring imputation. The donor record will have similar characteristics and must also have the required variable(s) stated. In addition the donor record will be located geographically as close as possible to the location of the record to be imputed. The match must occur within the same Capital City or Balance of State.

Using the Imputation Flag for Registered Marital Status (IFMSTP), the non-response rate for Registered marital status was 5.5% in 2021. This is a decrease from 6.9% in 2016. For more information on imputation, see 2021 Census Methodology.

• Age (AGEP)
• Dwelling type (DWTD)
• Type of non-private dwelling (NPDD)
• Sex (SEXP)
• Registered marital status (MSTP)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Derivation
• Hotdecking
• Imputation

• People
• Household and families: Census
• 2021 Census methodology

This variable indicates whether the number of males and females were counted for an occupied private dwelling or were imputed. This flag indicates dwellings where no form was received and therefore people needed to be imputed into the dwelling.

Occupied private dwellings

This variable is not collected from a direct question on the Census form.

Most occupied private dwellings return a completed form, so the number of persons is known. This variable identifies those private dwellings where the number of people are imputed.

This variable was first used in the 2006 Census. The categories for this item were changed in 2016 due to the changes in dwelling enumeration.

Prior to the 2016 Census, Census Field Officers would collect information on number of males and females in residence during their visits to the dwelling. This information would be recorded in their collector record books and could be used instead of imputation if there was no response from the dwelling. This information was not collected during the 2016 Census and if a dwelling did not respond the only option was to impute the number of males and females based on similar dwellings. This flag is set during Census processing.

No changes have been made for 2021.

For imputed persons, the following person variables are also imputed:

• Sex (SEXP)
• Age (AGEP)
• Registered marital status (MSTP)
• Place of usual residence (PURP)

All other person variables are set to ‘Not stated’ or ‘Not applicable’ for imputed persons.

Non-response rate only applies to data items that directly reflect responses to individual Census form questions. This imputation flag does not have a non-response rate as it is used to indicate whether the number of males and females were imputed during Census processing for applicable households. For more information on imputation, see Census Methodology.

• Sex (SEXP)
• Place of usual residence (PURP)
• Derivation
• Imputation

• Population
• People and communities
• Household and families: Census

This variable records a person's relationship status based on their current living arrangements. It identifies whether they form a couple relationship with another person living in the same usual residence, and the nature of that relationship.

Persons aged 15 years and over usually resident and present in the household on Census Night

Data on the relationships people have with others in the same dwelling, including de facto partnerships or social marriages, is from the relationship in household question on the Census form. This variable is derived from the Relationship in household (RLHP) and Registered marital status (MSTP) variables.

Relationships are based off a ‘reference person’. This is usually Person 1 on the Census form. Where this isn’t Person 1, a more appropriate person on the form is chosen during coding. For example, an adult is chosen rather than a child, or in the event of multiple family households, additional reference people are chosen.

To further identify some partnerships, additional information is used during data processing. This includes considering people who were recorded as temporarily absent on Census Night, registered marital status, name, and usual residence. Unless a social marriage is identified for a person, they are regarded as 'not married'.

A question on Marital status has been asked in every Census since 1911. A separate variable recording de-facto or social marital status was first created in 1986 and has been used in every Census since then.

In 2011, this variable provided data about how a person is married in a 'social way' (i.e. their current living status), regardless of response to the Registered marital status.

In 2016, the processing of Social marital status was changed to align with ABS Family Standards. A social marital status of 'Married in a registered marriage' is defined as a person who lives with another person in a couple relationship and to whom they are also legally married to in a registered marriage.

In December 2017, amendments to the Marriage Act 1961 came into effect enabling marriage equality for all couples. The amendments removed references to sex or gender and redefined marriage as 'the union of two people to the exclusion of all others'. Registered marriages reported in Census data releases will include same-sex couples and opposite sex couples.

In 2021, no changes have been made to the question on the form. However, changes were made to the way responses were processed as all couples can now be in registered marriages.

Marriage law changes

Registered marriages now include all couples. Amendments to the Marriage Act 1961 came into effect on 9 December 2017 enabling all couples to legally marry. The amendments removed references to sex or gender and redefined marriage as 'the union of two people to the exclusion of all others'.

No changes have been made to the output categories, however more people will be applicable to category 1 – Married in a registered marriage than in previous censuses. Conversely, less people will be applicable to category 2 - Married in a de facto marriage, and 3 - Not married.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Imputation flag for registered marital status (IFMSTP)
• Registered marital status (MSTP)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Sex (SEXP)
• Marital status

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable records a person’s formal registered marital status. If registered marital status is not stated, it is imputed.

Persons aged 15 years and over

This variable captures the response from the marital status question on the Census form.

If a person provides more than one response, the first response that appears on the form will be used.

Where a respondent does not answer the Marital status question, marital status is imputed using other information on the form and using a marital status distribution of the population. For more information about imputation, please see imputation in the Census Glossary.

The Imputation flag for registered marital status (IFMSTP) variable indicates if a person's marital status was imputed in the Census.

A question on Marital status has been asked in every Census since 1911.

In December 2017, amendments to the Marriage Act 1961 came into effect enabling marriage equality for all couples. The amendments removed references to sex or gender and redefined marriage as 'the union of two people to the exclusion of all others'. Registered marriages reported in Census data releases will include same-sex couples and opposite sex couples.

In 2021, no changes have been made to the question on the form. However, changes were made to the way responses were processed as all couples can now be in registered marriages.

The Registered marital status variable provides data about a person's current registered marital status, regardless of their reported relationship to another person in their household. During the time of the Census the following instructions were available on the Census website to help people answer the registered marital status question.

• If the person is a child and therefore not married, select ‘Never married’.
• If the person is divorced or widowed and has remarried, select ‘Married’.
• If the person is divorced and has not remarried, select ‘Divorced’, even if the person lives in a de facto relationship.
• If the person is in a de facto relationship and has not been in a registered marriage, select ‘Never married’.
• If the person is in a traditional Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander marriage, select ‘Married’.

Information on de facto relationships is derived from responses to the Relationship in household question and output in the Social marital status (MDCP) variable.

Due to the amendments to the Marriage Act 1961 in 2017, all couples are able to identify as being in registered marriages. While the categories for the variable have not changed, more people are in scope of category 5 - Married.

Using the Imputation Flag for Registered Marital Status (IFMSTP), the non-response rate for Registered marital status (MSTP) was 5.5% in 2021. This is a decrease from 6.9% in 2016. For more information on imputation, see 2021 Census methodology.

• Imputation flag for registered marital status (IFMSTP)
• Social marital status (MDCP)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Sex (SEXP)
• Derivation
• Imputation
• Marital status
• Visitors to Australia

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable counts the number of people who usually reside in an occupied private dwelling. It includes up to three residents who were temporarily absent from the household on Census Night.

Occupied private dwellings

This variable is derived by counting the number of usual residents who were present in the household on Census Night plus the Count of people who were temporarily absent from household (CPAD).

CPAD allows for up to three people to be temporarily absent from the household on Census Night.

This variable was first used during the 2011 Census.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Due to form limitations a maximum of three people can be reported and coded as temporarily absent from the dwelling. If more than three people are absent from the household, the additional people are unable to be included on the form.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form.

• Count of persons temporarily absent from household (CPAD)
• Place of usual residence (PURP)
• Household composition (HHCD)
• Average persons per household
• Dwelling

• Population
• People and communities
• Household and families: Census

This variable records the partner relationship as it is reported for all couples in an occupied dwelling. It shows the number of people who reported their relationship as being 'husband, wife or partner' or 'de facto partner'.

Persons in Couple families

Data on the relationships people have with others in the same dwelling, including husband/wife or de facto partner, is derived from the Relationship in household and Sex questions on the Census form.

This variable was introduced in 2011.

In December 2017, amendments to the Marriage Act 1961 came into effect enabling equality for all couples. The amendments removed references to sex or gender and redefined marriage as 'the union of two people to the exclusion of all others'. Registered marriages reported in Census data releases will include same-sex couples and opposite sex couples only.

In 2021, no changes have been made to the question. However, due to the amendments in 2017, more couples will be able to identify as being in registered marriages.

Due to the amendments in 2017 to the Marriage Act 1961, more couples may identify in category 3 ‘Husband, wife or partner as reported, same-sex couple’ resulting in higher figures to previous censuses. Conversely, category 4 will decrease.

For this derivation, the binary sex variable (SEXP) is used. Where a respondent has answered the sex question with ‘non-binary sex’ and provided a male or female response, the male or female response will be used to determine the binary sex variable. Otherwise, SEXP will be derived by statistical process using random allocation.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Imputation flag for registered marital status (IFMSTP)
• Registered marital status (MSTP)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Same-sex couple indicator (SSCF)
• Sex (SEXP)
• Social marital status (MDCP)
• Same-sex couple

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable describes the relationship of each person in a family to the family reference person. Where a person is not part of a family their relationship to the reference person is described.

This variable is different from the Relationship in household (RLHP) variable, as it:

• has an extra grandchild type, being ‘Dependent student grandchild’
• classifies lone grandparents (with no parent-child relationship present in the household) as ‘Lone parent’

This variable can only be used with other related grandparent/grandchild variables. These variables are:

• Child type (including grandchildren) (CTGP)
• Grandparent families (FMGF)

It cannot be used with standard family variables.

Persons present in an occupied private dwelling on Census Night

This variable is created using responses to the relationship in household, sex, age and attendance at an educational institution on the Census form.

Sex (SEXP) is used to determine whether the person is in a same-sex or opposite-sex couple.

Age (AGEP) and Student status (STUP) information is used to determine what type of child the person is:

• child under 15 (including grandchild under 15)
• dependent student (including dependent student grandchild)
• non-dependent child (including non-dependent grandchild)

This variable is similar to Relationship in household (RLHP), but there are three key differences in how Relationship in household (including grandchildren) (RLGP) is processed. The table below outlines these scenarios and how each variable classifies the person.

Persons temporarily absent on Census Night are also taken into consideration when deriving this variable. This helps with the identification of some families and for distinguishing between lone person and group households.

During data processing, families are identified and created based around a ‘family reference person’. For cases where a child or non-family member was listed as Person 1, a more appropriate person is selected to be the reference person.

This variable was first included in 2011.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Family coding processes

During Census family coding, all children under 15 years of age are allocated a nominal parent if their parent/s are not present in the household on Census Night, or if the parent/s were not reported as temporarily absent. Nominal parents can be the child's sibling, grandparent, aunt/uncle or other related individuals.

Grandparent families are recognised where a grandparent/s is allocated as the nominal parent or where there is only a grandparent-grandchild relationship present in the family and no parent child relationship. When a parent is temporarily absent from the family and their relationship to the child cannot be determined, the relationship cannot be coded. This can result in a small number of children being reported incorrectly as grandchildren when a parent is simply absent on Census Night.

RLGP may not represent caring responsibilities

Users should note that grandparent-grandchild relationships are constructed for the purposes of family coding in order to create a statistical family. It may not be representative of who provides care.

For example, a scenario could be that a 20 year old grandchild lives with her grandmother. She is a full-time student and is dependent on her grandmother. Alternatively, she may have moved in with her grandmother specifically to take care of her. It is important that users do not make assumptions about grandparent families.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form.

• Child type (including grandchildren) (CTGP)
• Grandparent families (FMGF)
• Relationship in Household (RLHP)

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable describes the relationship of each person in a family to the family reference person. Where a person is not part of a family, that person's relationship to the household reference person is captured. This is a key variable which enables Census data for people in private dwellings to be output on a family and household basis as well as on a person basis.

Persons present in the household on Census Night

This variable is derived from the relationship in household, sex, age and full-time/part-time student questions on the Census form. Persons temporarily absent on Census Night are also taken into consideration when deriving this variable. This helps with the identification of some families and for distinguishing between lone person and group households.

During data processing, families are identified and created based around a ‘family reference person’. For cases where a child or non-family member was listed as Person 1, a more appropriate person is selected to be the reference person.

Sex (SEXP) is used to determine whether the person is in a same-sex or opposite-sex registered marriage or de facto marriage.

Age (AGEP) and Student status (STUP) information is used to determine what type of child the person is:

• child under 15
• dependent student
• non-dependent child

Children classifications

Dependent children are classified if they:

• form a parent child relationship and are 0-14 years of age
• are 15-24 years of age and a full-time student (in secondary or tertiary education)

Non-dependent children are classified if they are:

• children who are 15-24 years of age who are not full-time students
• children aged 25 years and over

Other children are classified according to their relationships if:

• children are full-time students aged 15-24 years of age with a child or partner of their own
• they are aged 25 years and over with a child or partner of their own

This variable was first reported in 1911 and every Census since. In the 1986 Census, relationship to Person 1 and/or Person 2 has been asked in respect of each child. This is necessary to classify step children.

The category, 'Other non-classifiable relationship' was added to this variable in 2011. People in occupied private dwellings who were coded to not applicable in previous censuses have been coded to ‘Other non-classifiable relationship’ from 2011.

Registered marriages include same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples. Amendments to the Marriage Act 1961 came into effect on 9 December 2017 enabling marriage equality for all couples.

In 2021, the category '11 Registered marriage' has been replaced with three categories:

• 12 In a registered marriage, opposite-sex couple
• 13 In a registered marriage, male same-sex couple
• 14 In a registered marriage, female same-sex couple

Priority is given to identifying those relationships which form a ‘family group’, i.e. partnerships and parent/child relationships. For many households, identifying relationships to assist the coding of family or household structure for that dwelling is quite straightforward.

For dwellings containing blended families or multiple generations of families, the nature of the family structure can be complex. The quality of family data in the Census is partly dependent on people’s ability to describe relationships within the constraints of the questionnaire format required by a Census.

The reporting of relationships to Person 1 can sometimes mean that closer relationships between other people in the household are lost. For example, reporting ‘niece’ (of Person 1) instead of ‘daughter’ of Person 2. In other cases, respondents have reported a relationship that is the reverse of what the question is intended to capture, for example, reporting 'grandparent' instead of 'grandchild'. While in many cases these errors are recognised and rectified, some are automatically accepted and cannot be reviewed.

More complex or unusual relationships are not automatically accepted by the processing system and are presented for manual coding. In some cases, additional information is used to determine relationships, such as:

• name
• usual residence
• marital status
• number of children given birth

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Child type (CTPP)
• Family blending (FBLF)
• Family composition (FMCF)
• Household composition (HHCD)
• Social marital status (MDCP)
• Couple family
• Family
• Foster child
• Group household
• Lone parent
• Marital status
• Non-family member
• One-parent family
• Other related individual
• Parent
• Same-sex couple
• Step child
• Unrelated individual living in a family household

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable identifies a household member as the reference person used in Census coding. The reference person is used to identify the relationships between usual residents of a household. Relationships are defined between the family reference person and all other family members. It has limited statistical value but is included for use in population and dwelling projection models.

Persons in family, group and lone person households

This variable is derived from the Relationship in household question on the Census form.

Relationships are based off a ‘reference person’. This is usually Person 1 on the Census form. Where this isn’t Person 1, a more appropriate person on the form is chosen during coding. This is based on age, marital status, and relationship considerations. A reference person must be a usual resident of the dwelling aged 15 years and over, and present on Census Night. For example, an adult is chosen rather than a child, or in the event of multiple family households, additional reference people are chosen.

In multiple family households, there is a reference person for each family. The reference person for the primary family is usually defined as the household reference person. The identification of a family reference person allows each family within a dwelling to be treated as a separate entity for tabulation purposes.

For group households, the first person on the form who meets the criteria will become the reference person. For visitor only households and households with no person present aged 15 years and over, the household is considered 'non-classifiable' and no reference person is assigned.

This variable was first reported in 1911 and every Census year since.

No changes have been made in 2021.

This variable is not an indication that a person is 'head of the household'.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Family

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable indicates the sex, either male or female, of lone parents present in the household on Census Night.

Lone parents present in the household on Census Night

This variable is derived from responses to the Sex and Relationship in household questions on the Census form. In a small proportion of cases, responses to Persons temporarily absent questions are also used.

Sex is captured automatically from mark box responses on the form. If a form was received but there was no response, sex is imputed. Where a respondent selected 'non-binary sex' for the Sex question, a 'male' or 'female' response is allocated using statistical processes. More information is available in the Sex (SEXP) variable. 

This variable was first introduced in 2011.

No changes have been made in 2021.

Sex of lone parent (SLPP) can provide useful information when cross-classified against variables such as Labour force status (LFSP) and Occupation (OCCP).

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Sex (SEXP)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Parent indicator (FPIP)

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable records the usually resident husband/wife/partner or de facto partner in a couple family. It identifies the husband/wife/partner of each family reference person counted in the same family on Census Night, or reported as temporarily absent on Census Night.

Couple families present in the household on Census Night

This variable is derived from the the following variables:

• Family/household reference person indicator (RPIP)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)

Where a person is both the reference person in the family (RPIP category 1, 2 or 3) and is in a registered or de facto marriage they are coded to '1 Family reference person'.

Where a person is not the reference person in the family (RPIP category 5) and is in a registered or de facto marriage they are coded to '2 Spouse/partner'.

This variable is new for 2021.

A family is based off a ‘reference person’. This is usually Person 1 on the Census form. Where this isn’t Person 1, a more appropriate person on the form is chosen during coding. This is based on age, marital status, and relationship considerations. A reference person must be a usual resident of the dwelling aged 15 years and over, and present on Census Night. For example, an adult is chosen rather than a child, or in the event of multiple family households, additional reference people are chosen.

This variable identifies the spouse or partner of each family reference person counted in the same family on Census Night or reported as temporarily absent on Census Night. The couple may be in a registered or de facto marriage.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Social marital status (MDCP)
• Registered marital status (MSTP)
• Relationship as reported for couples (RLCP)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Family/household reference person indicator (RPIP)
• Family
• Temporarily absent

• People
• Household and families: Census

This variable records whether the usually resident husband/wife/partner or de facto partner is present or temporarily absent from a couple family on Census Night.

Couple families in family households

This variable is derived from the Persons temporarily absent question on the Census form.

This variable was first introduced in 1986.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Usual residents may not be included in the household’s Census form because they were away from the dwelling on Census Night. In this case they should be included in the persons temporarily absent section of the form. This can occur in both family and group households.

Due to form limitations a maximum of three people can be reported and coded as temporarily absent from the dwelling. If more than three people are absent from the household the additional people are unable to be included on the form.

Care should be taken when comparing this variable to other family data from within the ABS or external organisations or agencies. The definition of a family can differ between statistical collections and may not match Census definitions.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Count of persons temporarily absent from household (CPAD)
• Count of persons temporarily absent from family (CPAF)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Family
• Temporarily absent

• People
• Household and families: Census
• Persons temporarily absent

This variable uses relationship information to indicate whether a family are a same-sex couple family.

Couple families

This variable uses responses from the Relationship in household and Sex questions on the Census form.

Sex is captured automatically from mark box responses on the form. If a form was received but there was no response, sex is imputed. Where a respondent selected 'non-binary sex' for the Sex question, a 'male' or 'female' response is allocated using statistical processes. More information is available in the Sex (SEXP) variable. 

The responses are used in family coding where a person is classified as a 'partner in a de facto marriage' or ‘husband, wife or partner’. Persons temporarily absent are also taken into account. This information is then used to derive the Same-sex couple indicator (SSCF).

This variable was first introduced in 2011.

For 2021 this variable includes same-sex marriages.  Amendments to the Marriage Act 1961 came into effect on 9 December 2017 enabling all couples to legally marry. The amendments removed references to sex or gender and redefined marriage as 'the union of two people to the exclusion of all others'.

Care should be taken when comparing this variable to other family data from within the ABS or external organisations or agencies. The definition of a family can differ between statistical collections and may not match Census definitions.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Relationship as reported for couples (RLCP) 
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Family

• People
• Household and families: Census