FAMILY RELATIONSHIP
JUSTIFICATION
Questions on this topic are used to identify different types of households and the structure of family groups within each household. Data about households and families are of considerable value in their own right, and when cross-classified with other variables.
Census data provide a benchmark for the analysis of family and household structure and characteristics, and allow for the monitoring of changes over time.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
A question on relationship has been included in all Australian Censuses.
In 1996, for the first time, family coding was undertaken for people living in self-contained units in retirement villages and dwellings in manufactured home estates.
Since the 1996 Census, the ABS has collected information regarding same-sex couples through the relationship question.
USER REQUIREMENTS
Data on relationships between people in a household are required for:
- the identification of different types of households
- the establishment of the structure of family groups within each household
- the development, implementation and monitoring of many social and economic policies
- formation of the base population from which to project the number of families and households into the future, and hence demand for housing and other consumer goods.
AVAILABILITY OF NON-CENSUS DATA
Data on family structure are available from some ABS household surveys. However, because of restricted sample sizes, surveys do not provide reliable data for small areas and small groups of the population. The following surveys are relevant to the topic:
POSSIBLE CHANGES FOR 2011
For the 2011 Census, the question design and wording will be reviewed to:
- improve identification and classification of family types. Family types of interest include 'multi-generational families', 'grandparent families' and 'step/blended' families
- enhance the data available about adopted children, foster children and children who are unrelated to the primary householders.
In addition, the collection of more detailed information about absent family members will be investigated.
The ABS will also be considering the feasibility of establishing cross-checks to ensure that people who regularly commute between two residences (e.g. children in one parent families shifting between the homes of both their parents, family members who regularly stay elsewhere due to work or study), are counted once only on Census Night.
2006 CENSUS QUESTIONS
(For people present in the dwelling on Census Night)
(For people absent from the dwelling on Census Night)
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