Count of dependent children in family (CDCF)

Latest release
Census of Population and Housing: Census dictionary
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Reference period
2021

Definition

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.

Scope

Families with children in family households

Categories

CodeCategory
Couple family with:
00No dependent children
01One dependent child
02Two dependent children
03Three dependent children
04Four dependent children
05Five dependent children
06Six or more dependent children
One parent family with:
07No dependent children
08One dependent child
09Two dependent children
10Three dependent children
11Four dependent children
12Five dependent children
13Six or more dependent children
Not applicable:
@@Not applicable

Number of categories: 15

Not applicable (@@) category comprises:

  • Couple families with no children
  • Other families
  • Non-family/Non-classifiable households
  • Unoccupied private dwellings
  • Non-private dwellings
  • Migratory, off-shore and shipping SA1s

Question(s) from the Census form

What is the person’s relationship to Person 1/Person 2?

What is Person 1's date of birth?

Is Person 1 attending a school or any other education institution?

For each person away, complete the following questions:

How this variable is created

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)

History and changes

This variable was first introduced in 2011.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Data use considerations

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. 

Related variables and glossary terms

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

Useful links