Child type (gender of parent) (CGPP)

Latest release
Census of Population and Housing: Census dictionary
Reference period
2026

Definition

This variable records the different types of children in a family. When a step parent and child relationship is identified, the gender of the parent is indicated. It uses information from the new 2026 Census gender question (GENP). A separate variable, child type (sex recorded at birth of parent) (CTPP) will continue to be produced using responses to the sex recorded at birth (SEXP) question.

Scope

All children present in family households on Census night  

Categories

CodeCategory
1Natural or adopted child of both parents or lone parent 
2Step child of parent, gender man 
3Step child of parent, gender woman
4Step child of parent, gender non-binary or another gender term 
5Step child of parent, gender inadequately described* 
6Foster child, so stated 
7Otherwise related child (under 15 years) 
8Unrelated child (under 15 years) 
@Not applicable 
VOverseas visitor 

* Includes parents with gender not stated, ‘Prefer not to answer’ and aged under 16 years who weren’t asked the gender question. 

Number of categories: 10 

Not applicable (@) category comprises: 

  • husbands, wives, spouses, partners, lone parents, other related individuals, non-family members, or visitors (from within Australia) in family households 
  • persons in non-family households 
  • persons in non-classifiable households 
  • persons in non-private dwellings 
  • persons in migratory, offshore and shipping SA1s 

See Understanding supplementary codes for more information.    

Question(s) from the Census form

What is the person’s date of birth?

What is the person’s gender?

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

Is the person attending a school or any other education institution?

For each person away, complete the following questions:

How this variable is created

This variable is derived from responses to the relationship in household and gender questions on the Census form. 

Children aged under 15 years are classified as: 

  • A child, if they live with a natural, adoptive, step, or foster parent. 
  • An ‘Otherwise related child (under 15 years)’, if they live with another adult relative (such as an older sibling, aunt, uncle, or grandparent) and no natural, adoptive, step, or foster parent is identified. 
  • An ‘Unrelated child (under 15 years)’, if no relative is identified in the same dwelling. 

Persons aged 15 years and over are classified as: 

  • A child, if they live with a natural, adoptive, step, or foster parent. 
  • 'Not applicable', if they live with another family member such as a grandparent, or sibling that is also aged 15 years and over, or if they are a boarder or lodger.

History and changes

This is a new variable for the 2026 Census. 

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