Family composition (FMCF)

This variable classifies families into different family types. It uses a single family reference person and classifies each member around that person.

When classifying families into different types, information about temporarily absent family members is used.

This variable distinguishes between different types of families based on the presence or absence of couple relationships, parent-child relationships, child dependency relationships or other familial relationships, in that order of preference.

Families in family households

This variable is derived from the Relationship and persons temporarily absent questions on the Census form. During data processing, families are identified and created based around a ‘family reference person’, usually person 1 recorded on the Census form.

This variable distinguishes between different types of families based on the presence or absence of couple relationships, parent-child relationships, child dependency relationships or other family relationships, in that order of preference. Families are classified in terms of the relationships that exist between a single family reference person and each other member of that family.

Reporting relationships in respect of 'Person 1' on the form, can make it difficult to establish all the relationships that exist in a household, or to identify whether more than one family is living in the dwelling. In some cases, additional information such as surname, usual residence and marital status are used during data processing to help determine these relationships.

This variable was first introduced in the 2006 Census to replace Family type (FMTF).

No changes have been made for 2021.

Across the community, a wide variety of living arrangements exist therefore family structures can be complex and dynamic in nature. The quality of family data in the Census is dependent on people’s ability to describe these relationships with the usual residence in the household.

This variable relates only to the basic composition of a family and is the principle family variable used in family tabulations. Demographic characteristics of the different family compositions can be established with cross tabulation with:

• Location of spouse (SPLF)
• Tenure type (TEND)
• Dwelling structure (STRD)
• Family number (FNOF)
• Total family income (weekly) (FINF)

Note: There is no provision for 'other related individuals' in second and third families.

If more than three families are found in a household, only three families are separately classified. Any other people are classified as either related family members or non-family members as appropriate and are attached to family one.

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.

• Family blending (FBLF)
• Relationship between families (FRLF)
• Family household composition (dwelling) (HCFMD)
• Family household composition (family) (HCFMF)
• Household composition (HHCD)
• Relationship in household (including grandchildren) (RLGP)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Family/household reference person indicator (RPIP)
• Census counts
• Couple family
• Family
• Multiple family households
• Nominal child
• Other family
• Other related individual
• Parent
• Parent-child relationship
• Personal form

• People
• Household and families: Census
• Understanding Family composition and Grandparent families