2900.0 - Census of Population and Housing: Understanding the Census and Census Data, Australia , 2016  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 08/11/2017  First Issue
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Relationship as Reported for Couples (RLCP)

This variable records the partner relationship as it is reported for both opposite-sex and same-sex couples. It shows the number of people who reported their relationship as being 'husband or wife', or 'de facto partners'. This variable is applicable to all persons in occupied private dwellings who are part of a couple family.

How this variable is created

Data on the relationships people have with others in the same dwelling, including husband/wife or de facto partner, is derived from the relationship in household question on the Census Household Form. An image of this question is provided below.

Variable history

This variable was new for 2011 and is unchanged in 2016.

The variable has similar categories to Relationship in Household except that it records husband/wife or de-facto partnership as they are reported for both opposite-sex and same-sex couples. Both variables, Relationship in Household and Relationship as Reported for Couples, provide data about how an individual perceives and reports their relationship to someone else in that household.

Non-response rate

Non-response rate only applies to data items that directly reflect responses to individual Census form questions. Relationship as Reported for Couples does not have a non-response rate as it is a derived value created during Census processing for applicable persons. For more information, refer to Understanding Census data quality.

Data usage notes

This variable shows the number of people who reported their relationship as 'Husband or wife' (regardless of whether they are a same-sex or opposite-sex couple). It should be noted that relationships are only recorded where the couple have been counted in an occupied private dwelling.

Further information

A definition for Relationship as Reported for Couples is available in the 2016 Census Dictionary with additional information available in the Glossary.
For information on the standard Relationship in Household question and data item, see the data quality statement for Relationship in Household (RLHP).

Household form question image


Question 5 as it appeared on the 2016 Census Household Paper Form:

2016 Household Paper Form - Question 5. What is the person's relationship to Person 1/Person 2?
A text only version of the online Census Household form is available from the Downloads tab.