This variable categorises each family in a household on Census night. A family in a one family household, is classified as the primary family.
This variable should be used in conjunction with relationship to primary family (FRLF), to determine the relationship to primary family in multi family households.
What is the person’s relationship to person 1/person 2?
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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.
How this variable is created
This variable is derived from the relationship in household question on the Census form. When a household has more than one usually resident family present on Census night, the family with dependent children is designated as the primary family. If no children are present, the first family listed on the Census form becomes the primary family.
History and changes
This variable was first introduced in 1971, to replace the previously used family group (FMGF) variable. The mnemonic used has changed several times.
In 2026, the limit on family number per dwelling was removed. It was previously capped at three families.
