Count of non-dependent children in family (CNDCF)

Latest release
Census of Population and Housing: Census dictionary
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Reference period
2021

Definition

This variable counts the number of non-dependent children in the family. It includes up to three non-dependent children who were temporarily absent from the household on Census Night.

A non-dependent child refers to a natural, adopted, step or foster child of a couple or lone parent usually resident in the household. They are aged 15 years and over and not a full-time student aged 15-24 years. They also have no identified partner or child of their own usually resident in the household.

Scope

Families with children in family households

Categories

CodeCategory
Couple family with:
00No non-dependent children
01One non-dependent child
02Two non-dependent children
03Three non-dependent children
04Four non-dependent children
05Five non-dependent children
06Six or more non-dependent children
One parent family with:
07No non-dependent children
08One non-dependent child
09Two non-dependent children
10Three non-dependent children
11Four non-dependent children
12Five non-dependent children
13Six or more non-dependent children
Not applicable:
@@Not applicable

Number of categories: 15

Not applicable (@@) category comprises:

  • Couple families with no children
  • Other families
  • Non-family/Non-classifiable households
  • Unoccupied private dwellings
  • Non-private dwellings
  • Migratory, off-shore and shipping SA1s

Question(s) from the Census form

What is the person’s relationship to Person 1/Person 2?

What is the person’s relationship to Person 1/Person 2?
What is Person 2's relationship to Person 1? Examples of other relationships: Son-in-law, Grand-daughter, Uncle, Boarder. More information Husband or wife of Person 1 De facto partner of Person 1 Child of Person 1 Stepchild of Person 1 Brother or sister of Person 1 Unrelated flatmate or co-tenant of Person 1 Other relationship to Person 1 (please specify)

More information

Additional information relating to the question on: What is the person’s relationship to Person 1/Person 2?
What is Person 2's relationship to Person 1? Examples of other relationships: Son-in-law, Grand-daughter, Uncle, Boarder. More information If more than one response applies, select only the option that shows the relationship that most closely applies.

What is Person 1's date of birth?

What is Person 1's date of birth?
What is Person 1's date of birth? If date of birth is not known, please select 'Don't know date of birth' and provide Person 1's age. More information Day Month Year OR Don't know date of birth Age

More information

Additional information relating to the question on: What is Person 1's date of birth?
What is Person 1's date of birth? If date of birth is not known, please select 'Don't know date of birth' and provide Person 1's age. More information It is important to note: •Date of birth is the date that the person was born. •Age is required only if the person's date of birth is not known. Please report age at Census night – Tuesday 10 August 2021. If the person is less than one year old and their date of birth is not known, enter '0' in the age box.

Is Person 1 attending a school or any other education institution?

Is Person 1 attending a school or any other education institution?
Is Person 1 attending a school or any other education institution? Include tertiary education and vocational education and training providers (e.g. TAFE and private training providers). Include external, online or correspondence study. More information No Yes, full-time student Yes, part-time student

More information

Additional information relating to the question on: Is Person 1 attending a school or any other education institution?
Is Person 1 attending a school or any other education institution? Include tertiary education and vocational education and training providers (e.g. TAFE and private training providers). Include external, online or correspondence study. More information Select full-time student or part-time student based on whether the institution considers the person to be a full-time or part-time student. For a person who attends only hobby or recreational courses, select 'No'. If the person is currently studying at home because of lockdowns or other COVID-related reasons, but usually attends a school or other education institution, select one of the 'Yes' options.

For each person away, complete the following questions:

The Census asks a number of questions for usual residents who were temporarily absent on Census night, these are known as persons temporarily absent (PTA) questions. The PTA questions below are used to derive this variable.

List the people who were away on the night of Tuesday 10 August 2021 but usually live in this dwelling.
List the people who were away on the night of Tuesday 10 August 2021 but usually live in this dwelling. Remember that people listed here will need to complete a Census form for where they were in Australia on Census night. People away List Person Away 1 - Any person who usually lives in this dwelling, but was away. Add another person away

Example

Count of non-dependent children in family example - Person 4 Surname
List the people who were away on the night of Tuesday 10 August 2021 but usually live in this dwelling. Remember that people listed here will need to complete a Census form for where they were in Australia on Census night. People away Person 4 Surname - Any person who usually lives in this dwelling, but was away. Add another person away
What is Person 4's date of birth?
What is Person 4's date of birth? If date of birth is not known, please give age. More information Date of birth Day Month Year OR Age

More information

Additional information relating to the question on: What is Person 4's date of birth?
What is Person 4's date of birth? If date of birth is not known, please give age. More information It is important to note: • Date of birth is the date that the person was born. • Age is required only if the person's date of birth is not known. Please report age at Census night – Tuesday 10 August 2021. If the person is less than one year old and their date of birth is not known, enter '0' in the age box.
Is Person 4 a full-time student?
Is Person 4 a full-time student? More information No Yes

More information

Additional information relating to the question on: Is Person 4 a full-time student?
Is Person 4 a full-time student? More information Select 'Yes' if the institution considers the person to be a full-time student. Select 'No' if the institution considers the person to be a part-time student. For a person who attends only hobby or recreational courses, select 'No'. For a child who attends a preschool or preschool program (including early childhood education and centre based day care providers): • Select 'Yes' if they attend at least 15 hours a week on average. • Select 'No' if they attend less than 15 hours a week on average.
What is Person 4's relationship to Person 1/Person 2?
What is Person 4's relationship to Person 1/Person 2? Examples of other relationships: Son-in-law, Grand-daughter, Uncle, Boarder. More information Husband or wife of Person 1 De facto partner of Person 1 Child of both Person 1 and Person 2 Child of Person 1 only Child of Person 2 only Unrelated flatmate or co-tenant of Person 1 Other relationship to Person 1 (please specify)

More information

Additional information relating to the question on: What is Person 4's relationship to Person 1/Person 2?
What is Person 4's relationship to Person 1/Person 2? Examples of other relationships: Son-in-law, Grand-daughter, Uncle, Boarder. More information If more than one response applies, select the option that shows the relationship that most closely applies.

How this variable is created

This variable is created from responses to relationship in household, age, attendance at a educational institution and persons temporarily absent (PTA) questions on the Census form. 

It counts the number of non-dependent children in couple families and one parent families.

The Family composition (FMCF) variable is used to determine whether the family is a couple family or a one parent family. 

Non-dependent children present in the household are counted if they are part of the family and are classified as one of the following Relationship in household (RLHP) categories:

  • 51 Non-dependent natural, or adopted child
  • 52 Non-dependent step child
  • 53 Non-dependent foster child

Up to three non-dependent children who are temporarily absent from the household on Census Night can be counted from the variable Count of dependent students (15-24 years) temporarily absent (CDSAF).

History and changes

This variable was first introduced in 2011.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Data use considerations

Usual residents may not be included in the household’s Census form because they were away from the dwelling on Census Night. In this case they should be included in the Persons temporarily absent section of the form. This can occur in both family and group households. 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 people are unable to be included on the form.

Care should be taken when comparing this variable to other family data from within the ABS or external organisations or agencies. The definition of a family can differ between different statistical collections and may not match Census definitions.

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. 

Related variables and glossary terms

  • Count of dependent children in family (CDCF)
  • Count of non-dependent children in family temporarily absent (CNDAF) 
  • Relationship in household (RLHP)
  • Child

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