Country of birth
There are three country of birth variables:
- Country of Birth of Person (BPLP), which records a person's country of birth
- Country of Birth of Mother (BPFP), which indicates whether a person's mother was born in Australia or overseas, and
- Country of Birth of Father (BPMP), which indicate whether a person's father was born in Australia or overseas.
Prior to 2001, parental country of birth was coded to a country.
In Censuses prior to 2006, these variables were referred to as 'Birthplace' rather than 'Country of birth'.
For the 2001 and 2006 Censuses, the 'Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC)' is used to classify responses for country of birth of person. In 1996, the 'Australian Standard Classification of Countries for Social Statistics (ASCCSS)' was used.
Both classifications use the current names of countries, so if a person uses a former name, the current name is coded. For example, Siam would be coded to Thailand.
If country of birth of person is not stated on the Census form, edits derive it from other answers. If country of birth cannot be derived it is coded to 'Not stated'.
People born in Australia are not required to complete Question 12 which asks, 'In what year did the person first arrive in Australia to live here for one year or more?'. People born in external territories such as Norfolk Island, are required to answer this question.
Country of birth variables, when used with Language Spoken at Home (LANP), Ancestry and Religious Affiliation (RELP) provide important information on ethnicity.
See also Ancestry, Australia, Australian Citizenship (CITP), Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC), Year of Arrival in Australia (YARP).
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