Family composition (FMCF)

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What is Person 1’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 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: Is Person 1 attending a school or any other education institution? 

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Include tertiary education and vocational education and training providers (e.g. TAFE and private training providers). Include external, online, or correspondence study. 

Underneath the instructional text, is a clickable More Information header. Once clicked, the More Information is shown, and states: Select full-time student or part-time student based on whether the institution considers the person to be a full-time or part-time student. For a person who attends only hobby or recreational courses, select ‘No’. 

The response options are: No; Yes, full-time student; Yes, part-time student.

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: Is Person Away A a full-time student? 

Underneath the instructional text, is a clickable More Information header. Once clicked, the More Information is shown, and states: Select ‘Yes’ if the institution considers the person to be a full-time student. Select ‘No’ if the institution considers the person to be a part-time student. For a person who attends only hobby or recreational courses select ‘No’. For a child who attends a preschool or preschool program (including early childhood education and centre based day care providers): Select ‘Yes’ if they attend at least 15 hours a week on average. Select ‘No’ if they attend less than 15 hours a week on average.

The response options are: No; Yes.

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.