Count of all children in family (CACF)

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