This variable classifies the sex recorded at birth 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 was Person 1’s sex recorded at birth?
Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: If Person 1 was not recorded as male or female on their birth registration, you can select another term. ‘Select another term’ is a link. Once clicked, an alternative version of the question is presented.
The response options are: Male; Female.
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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Description
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 was Person Away A’s sex recorded at birth?
Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: If Person Away A was not recorded as male or female on their birth registration, you can select another term. ‘Select another term’ is a link. Once clicked, an alternative version of the question is presented.
The response options are: Male; Female.
Image
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 sex recorded at birth 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 a child was reported as a person temporarily absent (PTA).
Parents are counted when the family includes:
dependent children aged under 15 years
dependent students aged 15 to 24 years
non-dependent children
The variable includes nominal parents. Children under 15 years are allocated a nominal parent if their parent or parents were not present on Census night or were 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.
History and changes
This variable was first collected in 2021.
In 2026, the variable name and category labels were updated to align with revised wording of the questions on the form.
