This variable shows the gender of each usually resident parent who was present in a family household on Census night. It includes parents whose children were present in the household on Census night, as well as parents whose children were temporarily absent, provided the parent and child were classified as belonging to the same family.
This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What is Person 1’s gender?
Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: This question refers to how Person 1 currently identifies or expresses their gender, which may be different to sex at birth.
Underneath the instructional text, is a clickable More Information header. Once clicked, the More Information is shown, and states: This question is only asked for people aged 16 years and older. Data from this question will help plan health and social programs and services.
The response options are: Man; Woman; Non-binary; Person 1 uses another term (specify), followed by a free text field; Prefer not to answer.
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.
For each person away, please complete the following questions:
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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.
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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.
How this variable is created
This variable is derived from the gender and relationship in household questions on the Census form. It identifies parents of children in family households when the parent and child were counted in the same family on Census night, or when the child was reported as a person temporarily absent (PTA).
Parents are counted when there are dependent children aged under 15 years, dependent students aged 15 to 24 years, or non‑dependent children present in the family.
Children under 15 years are allocated a nominal parent if their parent(s) were not present on Census night or not reported as temporarily absent. A nominal parent may be a sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle or another related person. Grandchild and grandparent relationships are only counted for dependent grandchildren aged under 15 years. Non-dependent grandchildren, aged 15 years and over, are excluded.
