This variable counts the types of families in family households at the family level. In multi family households, each family is counted in the relevant family type subcategories.
Scope
Families in family households
Categories
Categories family household composition (family) (HCFMF)
1
One family household
11
One family household: Couple family with no children
12
One family household: Couple family with children
13
One family household: One parent family
14
One family household: Other family
2
Two family household
21
Two family household: Couple family with no children
22
Two family household: Couple family with children
23
Two family household: One parent family
24
Two family household: Other family
3
Three family household
31
Three family household: Couple family with no children
32
Three family household: Couple family with children
33
Three family household: One parent family
34
Three family household: Other family
4
Four family household
41
Four family household: Couple family with no children
42
Four family household: Couple family with children
43
Four family household: One parent family
44
Four family household: Other family
5
Five or more family household
51
Five or more family household: Couple family with no children
52
Five or more family household: Couple family with children
What is the person’s relationship to person 1/person 2?
Image
Description
This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What is Person 2's relationship to Person 1?
Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Examples of other relationships: Son-in-law, Grandchild, Aunt, Boarder.
Underneath the instructional text, is a clickable More Information header. Once clicked, the More Information is shown, and states: If more than one response applies, select only the option that shows the relationship that most closely applies.
The response options are: Husband or wife or spouse of Person 1; De facto partner of Person 1; Child of Person 1; Stepchild of Person 1; Parent of Person 1; Brother or sister or sibling of Person 1; Unrelated flatmate or co-tenant of Person 1; Other relationship to Person 1(specify), followed by a free text field.
For each person away, complete the following questions:
Image
Description
This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: List the people who will be away on the night of Tuesday 11 August 2026 but usually live in this dwelling.
Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Remember that people listed here will need to complete a Census form for where they will be in Australia on Census night.
There is a heading titled People away with an option to List Person Away 1 with text next to it that any person who usually lives in this dwelling but will be away.
There is a button underneath to add another person away.
Image
Description
This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What is Person Away A's relationship to Person 1/Person 2?
Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Examples of other relationships: Son-in-law, Grandchild, Aunt, Boarder.
Underneath the instructional text, is a clickable More Information header. Once clicked, the More Information is shown, and states: If more than one response applies, select the option that shows the relationship that most closely applies.
The response options are: Husband or wife or spouse 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(specify), followed by a free text field.
FMCF identifies the structure of each family within a household. In households containing more than one family, each family is classified and counted separately according to its family type.
History and changes
This variable was first introduced in 2011.
In 2026, new categories were added, increasing the highest category from ‘Three or more family household’ to ‘Five or more family household’.
