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Family household composition (family) (HCFMF)

Census of Population and Housing: Census dictionary
Reference period
2021

Definition

This variable counts the types of families within family households at the family level. In multiple family households all family types are counted.

Scope

Families in family households

Categories

CodeCategory
1One family household
11One family household: Couple family with no children
12One family household: Couple family with children
13One family household: One parent family
14One family household: Other family
2Two family household
21Two family household: Couple family with no children
22Two family household: Couple family with children
23Two family household: One parent family
24Two family household: Other family
3Three or more family household
31Three or more family household: Couple family with no children
32Three or more family household: Couple family with children
33Three or more family household: One parent family
34Three or more family household: Other family
@@Not applicable

Number of categories:

  • One digit level: 3
  • Two digit level: 13

Not applicable (@@) category comprises:

  • 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 Person 2's relationship to Person 1?

More information

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.

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

Family household composition (family) example - Person 4 Surname

Example

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?

More information

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.
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?

More information

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 uses information collected from the Relationship in household and the Persons temporarily absent questions on the Census form.

Family and household structures are identified during Census data processing and are created around a family or household reference person. This variable is derived from the Family composition (FMCF) and Household composition (HHCD) variables.

History and changes

This variable was first introduced in 2011.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Data use considerations

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 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

  • Family composition (FMCF)
  • Family household composition (dwelling) (HCFMD)
  • Household composition (HHCD)
  • Relationship in household (RLHP)

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