2901.0 - Census of Population and Housing: Census Dictionary, 2016  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 23/08/2016   
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2016 Census Dictionary >> Glossary >> Country of Birth


Country of Birth

There are four Country of birth data items available from the Census.

In 2016, Country of Birth of Person (BPLP) records an individual's specific country of birth, as it has in previous Censuses.

The countries of birth of a person's father and mother are recorded in Country of Birth of Father (BPMP) and Country of Birth of Mother (BPFP). In 2016, specific countries will be recorded for these variables. In 2001, 2006 and 2011, BPMP and BPFP recorded only whether parents were born in Australia or Overseas.

There is a fourth data item, Country of Birth of Parents (BPPP). It is derived from BPMP and BPFP and records a person's parents' birthplaces as combinations of Australia/Overseas, not as specific countries. If a person has a 'Not stated' response for BPFP and/or BPMP then BPPP is coded to 'Not stated'. This is unchanged from 2011.

The Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC), 2016 (cat. no. 1269.0) is used to classify responses for Country of Birth data items.

If a person uses a former country name, it is coded to the current country name. For example, Siam would be coded to Thailand.

If Country of Birth of Person is not stated on the Census form, system edits derive it from other answers within the Census form. If Country of birth is unable to be derived it is coded to 'Not stated'.

People born in Australia are not required to complete the year of arrival question on the form.


Data on country of birth provide important information on ethnicity when used with, Ancestry (
ANCP), Language Spoken at Home (LANP) and Religious Affiliation (RELP).

See also Ancestry, Australian born, Overseas born, Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC), Year of Arrival in Australia (YARP).






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