Location of spouse (SPLF)

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

Definition

This variable records whether a usually resident husband, wife, spouse or de-facto partner is present or temporarily absent from a couple family on Census night. 

Scope

Couple families in family households 

Categories

Code Category 
1 Present 
2 Temporarily absent 
@ Not applicable  

Number of categories: 3 

Not applicable (@) category comprises: 

  • one parent families 
  • other families 
  • non-family households 
  • non-classifiable households 
  • unoccupied private dwellings 
  • non-private dwellings 
  • migratory, offshore and shipping SA1s 

See Understanding supplementary codes for more information.   

Question(s) from the Census form

For each persons away, complete the following questions:

How this variable is created

This variable is derived from the persons temporarily absent (PTA) questions on the Census form. Information from family composition (FMCF) is also used to determine if it’s a couple family. 

History and changes

This variable was first introduced in 1986. 

There have been no changes for the 2026 Census.

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