The ABS will be closed from 12.00pm, 24 December 2024 and will reopen at 9.00am, 2 January 2025. During this time there will be no statistical releases and our support functions will be unavailable. The ABS wishes you a safe and happy Christmas.

Count of persons temporarily absent from family (CPAF)

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

Definition

This variable counts the total number of people who were temporarily absent from a family on Census Night. The count of persons temporarily absent includes husbands/wives/partners, de facto partners, and children (dependent children aged under 15 years, dependent students (15-24 years) and non-dependent children). A maximum of three people can be coded as temporarily absent in the dwelling.

Scope

Families in family households

Categories

CodeCategory
0No persons temporarily absent from family
1One person temporarily absent from family
2Two persons temporarily absent from family
3Three persons temporarily absent from family
@Not applicable

Number of categories: 5

Not applicable (@) category comprises:

  • Non-family/Non-classifiable households
  • Unoccupied private dwellings
  • Non-private dwellings
  • Migratory, off-shore and shipping SA1s

Question(s) from the Census form

For each person away, complete the following questions:

How this variable is created

This variable is derived from the persons temporarily absent (PTA) questions on the Census form. Persons included in the main family structure are processed to create this variable. They include:

  • partner
  • child
  • grandchild aged under 15.

Other family members not included in the main family structure are removed.

History and changes

This question was first introduced in 1996.

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 dependent children under 15 in family temporarily absent (CDCAF)   
  • Count of dependent students (15 – 24 years) in family temporarily absent (CDSAF)
  • Count of non-dependent children in family temporarily absent (CNDAF) 
  • Count of persons in family (CPRF)
  • Family
  • Temporarily absent

Useful links