Family income derivation indicator (FIDF)

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.

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What is the total of all income Person 1 usually receives?  

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Do not deduct: tax, superannuation contributions, amounts salary sacrificed, or any other automatic deductions.  

Include: 

Wages and salaries: Regular overtime, Commissions and bonuses 

Government pensions, benefits and allowances 

Profit or loss from: Unincorporated business/farm (e.g. sole traders, partnerships)’ Rental properties 

Other income from: Superannuation, Child support, Dividends from shares, Interest, Workers’ compensation, Any other income sources 

Underneath the instructional text, is a clickable More Information header. Once clicked, the More Information is split into sections.  

The first section states: Information from this question provides an indication of living standards in different areas. Count total income from all sources, not just a regular wage or salary. Total income is the person’s personal income before any tax, superannuation contributions, amounts salary sacrificed, or other automatic payments are deducted.  

The next section is a list titled: Government pensions, benefits and allowances include  

Followed by a list of the following examples: Age Pension, Family Tax Benefit, Parenting Payment, Disability Support Pension, JobSeeker Payment, Youth and student allowances, Carer Allowance, Any other government pension, benefit, or allowance. Note: remember to include the total value of any pensions, benefits, and other government allowances that the person is currently receiving.  

The next section is titled: Business owners and self-employed people  

Business owners and self-employed people should include the total profit or loss from the operations of their business, or their share of the business in a partnership. The profit or loss of a business is calculated as its gross receipts less its operation expenses (such as rent, materials and fuel costs). If the person has other sources of income, such as wages or government allowances, these should be added to their business income to calculate their total income from all sources.  

The next section is titled: Other income  

For interest and dividends, calculate the amount the person expects to receive in a full year and add this to their total yearly income from other sources; divide by 26 to work out a fortnightly amount; or divide by 52 to work out a weekly amount. For other regular income, such as superannuation or child support, include the amount the person currently receives for one week or fortnight, or calculate the amount they expect to receive in a full year and add this to their total yearly income from other sources. Include Private Pensions and Workers Compensation under Other income.  

The next section is titled: Negative income  

Negative income occurs when the operating expenses are higher than the gross receipts (or revenue) of a self-employed person, business, or a rental property. A person has negative income if these losses are greater than any income, benefits or allowances received from other sources.  

The response options are: $3,500 or more per week ($182,000 or more per year); $3,000–$3,499 per week ($156,000–$181,999 per year); $2,500–$2,999 per week ($130,000–$155,999 per year); $2,000–$2,499 per week ($104,000–$129,999 per year); $1,500–$1,999 per week ($78,000–$103,999 per year); $1,250–$1,499 per week ($65,000–$77,999 per year); $1,000–$1,249 per week ($52,000–$64,999 per year); $800–$999 per week ($41,600–$51,999 per year); $650–$799 per week ($33,800–$41,599 per year); $500–$649 per week ($26,000–$33,799 per year); $400–$499 per week ($20,800–$25,999 per year); $300–$399 per week ($15,600–$20,799 per year); $150–$299 per week ($7,800–$15,599 per year); $1–$149 per week ($1–$7,799 per year); $0 or nil income; Negative income. 

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. 

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What is Person Away A’s date of birth?  

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: If date of birth is not known, please select 'Don't know date of birth' and provide Person 1’s age.  

Underneath the instructional text, is a clickable More Information header. Once clicked, the More Information text is split into sections. The first section states: It is important to note: Date of birth is the date that the person was born; Age is required only if the person's date of birth is not known. Please report age at Census night – Tuesday 11 August 2026. The next section states: If the person is less than one year old and their date of birth is not known, enter '0' in the age box.  There are two response options. The first option is: Day, followed by a numeric free text field; Month, followed by dropdown options; Year, followed by a numeric free text field. The second option is a checkbox with the text: Don’t know date of birth. Checking this box will allow for Age to be entered into a numeric free text field.  

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.