Archived content. See ABS Website for latest information and statistics
ABS Home

Census home > Data quality > Statements > Person

Family/Household Reference Person Indicator

Family/Household Reference Person Indicator (RPIP)

This variable identifies the household member used in Census coding as the basis for identifying the relationships between usual residents of a household. Familial relationships are defined in terms of the relationship between the family reference person and all other family members.

In the 2011 Census, data on the relationships people have with others in the same dwelling is mainly derived from question 5 on the Census Household Form, which asks for each person’s relationship to Person 1 on the form.

Person 1 is the 'reference person' for 94.2% of family reference persons and 99.0% of non-family reference persons. In the remaining cases, a more appropriate person on the form is chosen during clerical coding. For example, an adult is chosen rather than a child, or in the event of multiple family households additional reference persons are chosen.

For more detail on how family and non-family households are coded refer to the following data quality statements for Relationships in Household (RLHP), Household Composition (HHCD) and Family Composition (FMCF).

More information on RPIP is available in the 2011 Census Dictionary (cat. no. 2901.0).

Question 5 as it appeared on the 2011 Census Household Form

Data for this variable is mainly derived from question 5 on the Census Household Form.

Image of question 5 from the 2011 Census
A text only version of this question is also available


Back to Person classification

Statements

Person

Family

Household / Dwelling

2011 Census Dictionary

Archived content. See ABS Website for latest information and statistics