Latest release

Location of spouse (SPLF)

Census of Population and Housing: Census dictionary
Reference period
2021

Definition

This variable records whether the usually resident husband/wife/partner or de facto partner is present or temporarily absent from a couple family on Census Night.

Scope

Couple families in family households

Categories

CodeCategory
1Present
2Temporarily absent
@Not applicable 

Number of categories: 3

Not applicable (@) category comprises:

  • One parent families
  • 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

For each persons 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

Example to the question: List the people who were away on the night of Tuesday 10 August 2021 but usually live in this dwelling. Person 4 Surname added to the form.

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 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: 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 is derived from the Persons temporarily absent question on the Census form.

History and changes

This variable was first introduced in 1986.

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 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

Useful links