Count of All Children in Family (CACF)

This variable counts the number of dependent and non-dependent children in the family as defined by the Relationship in Household variable (RLHP). It is applicable to all families with children including those who may be absent from the home on Census night.

How this variable is created

Count of All Children in Family is a family variable that is created based on responses to the Relationship in Household and the Persons Temporarily Absent questions on the Census Household Form. Images of these questions are provided below.

Children who are present are counted directly from the Relationship in Household response. People are counted as temporarily absent from their family when they are included in the persons temporarily absent question. Children who are listed as Persons Temporarily Absent are first assigned to categories based on their Age and Student Status, and then counted in this format. Data Quality Statements for the three Temporarily Absent child categories are linked here:

• Count of Dependent Children Under 15 Temporarily Absent
• Count of Dependent Students (15 - 24 years) Temporarily Absent
• Count of Non-Dependent Children Temporarily Absent

Variable history

This variable was first introduced in 2011. No changes were made for 2016.

Non-response rate

Non-response rate only applies to data items that directly reflect responses to individual Census form questions. Count of All Children in Family does not have a non-response rate as it is a derived value created during Census processing for applicable families. For more information, refer to Understanding Census data quality.

Data usage notes

Count of All Children in Family should be used with caution when comparing to other family data from within the ABS and for external organisations or agencies. The definition of a family can differ between different statistical collections and may not match Census definitions.

Further information

A definition for Count of All Children in Family is available in the 2016 Census Dictionary.
For information on family composition, see the data quality statement for Family Composition.
For information on the Relationship in Household question and data item, see the data quality statement for Relationship in Household.
For more information on Persons Temporarily Absent, see the Census Dictionary glossary entry.

Household form question image

Questions 5 and 53 as they appear on the 2016 Census Household Paper Form:


A text only version of the online Census Household form is available from the Downloads tab.