This variable applies to persons in couple families whose relationship in household (RLHP) is recorded as husband, wife, spouse or partner. It distinguishes between the family reference person, who is used for Census purposes to identify relationships within the family unit, and their spouse or partner. The variable includes only persons who were present on Census night.
Scope
Couple families present in the household on Census night
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.
How this variable is created
This variable is derived from family/household reference person indicator (RPIP) and relationship in household (RLHP). Individuals coded in RPIP as a family reference person in either the primary or non-primary family, and whose RLHP indicates a registered marriage or de facto relationship, are assigned the category ‘Family reference person’. Those coded as other household members who are in a registered marriage or de facto relationship are assigned the code ‘Spouse/partner’.
