This variable identifies the household member recorded as the reference person for Census coding. Every household has a household reference person. In family households, there is also a family reference person. The reference person for the primary family is always the household reference person. This variable has limited statistical value, but is included for use in population projections and dwelling models.
Scope
Persons in family, group and lone person households
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.
How this variable is created
This variable is derived from the relationship in household question on the Census form. Relationships are based on a ‘reference person’, who is usually Person 1. If Person 1 is not suitable, a more appropriate person is chosen during coding based on age, marital status and relationship factors. The reference person must be a usual resident and aged 15 years or over.
In multiple family households, each family has its own reference person. The reference person for the primary family is usually the household reference person. This allows each family in a dwelling to be treated as a separate unit for tabulation.
In group households, the first person who meets the criteria becomes the reference person. In visitor‑only households, or in households with no person aged 15 years or over present, the household is considered non‑classifiable and no reference person is assigned.
History and changes
This variable was first reported in 1911 and included in every Census since then.
In 2026, categories were updated to account for an increase in the number of families able to be coded within a household. Categories were simplified to primary and non-primary families.
