Family Income Derivation Indicator (FIDF)
This variable identifies families where one or more family members were; temporarily absent, did not state their income, or stated a negative income. Family Income Derivation Indicator is applicable to all families in family households.
How this variable is created
Data for this variable is collected from the Relationship in Household, Income and Persons Temporarily Absent questions on the Census Household Form. Family Income Derivation Indicator is derived from the Family Composition and Total Personal Income variables. It also uses the Count of Persons/Dependent Children Temporarily Absent from Family variables to isolate families with members aged 15 and over temporarily absent on Census night.
Variable history
This variable was first introduced in 1991. No changes were made in 2016.
Non-response rate
Non-response rate only applies to data items that directly reflect responses to individual Census form questions. Family Income Derivation Indicator 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
Family Income Derivation Indicator can be used in conjunction with Total Personal Income (weekly) to create a new family income variable. Family Income Derivation Indicator can also be used to estimate the impact on total family income caused by negative/no income or persons temporarily absent.
People may be missed from the persons temporarily absent section of the form as they are not present in the household when the form is being filled out. This can occur in both family and group households. Additionally 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 persons are unable to be included on the form.
Family Income Derivation Indicator should be used carefully 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 Family Income Derivation Indicator is available in the 2016 Census Dictionary.
For information related to Family Income Derivation see data quality statement for Total Personal Income (weekly), Relationship in Household and Family Composition.
Household form question image
Questions 5, 33 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.
Print Page
Print All