This variable measures how a dwelling is utilised by comparing the number of bedrooms with key characteristics of its usual residents, including:
the number of usual residents
their relationship to each other
their ages
their sex recorded at birth
The measure is based on the Canadian National Occupancy Standard and provides an indication of whether a dwelling is under- or over-utilised. For example, a dwelling with two bedrooms and six usual residents may be considered over utilised, indicating that additional bedrooms or fewer residents may be required for adequate living space.
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.
What was the person’s sex recorded at birth?
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Description
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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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 many bedrooms are there in this dwelling?
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This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: How many bedrooms are there at 11 Fake Street?
Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: If the dwelling is a bedsitter or studio, enter ‘0’.
Underneath the instructional text, is a clickable More Information header. Once clicked, the More Information is shown, and states: Include any room that is defined as a bedroom, even if it is used for a different purpose, for example, as a study, office, computer room or sewing room. Include any bedrooms created as a result of alterations and additions to the dwelling (such as built-in verandas, extensions, or sunrooms).
The response options are: Number of bedrooms, followed by a numeric free text field.
How this variable is created
This variable is derived from answers to Census questions about housing and household demographics. It follows the Canadian National Occupancy Standard, which evaluates whether a home is appropriately sized for the people who live in it by considering both household size and composition.
The measure defines bedroom needs using the following rules:
A maximum of two persons per bedroom.
Household members, of any age, living as part of a married or common-law couple share a bedroom with their spouse or common-law partner.
Lone parents, of any age, have a separate bedroom from their children.
Household members aged 18 or over have a separate bedroom, except those living as part of a married or common-law couple.
Household members under 18 years of age of the same sex recorded at birth may share a bedroom, except lone parents and those living as part of a married or common-law couple.
Household members under five years of age of the opposite sex may share a bedroom if doing so would reduce the number of required bedrooms. This applies only to households with odd numbers of males and females under 18, and with at least one child of each sex under years.
A person living alone may reasonably occupy a studio or bedsitter.
This variable compares the number of bedrooms required under these rules with the number actually available in the dwelling. It is used to identify whether a home is under- or over‑utilised and to assess whether the dwelling is suitable for its household members.
History and changes
This data was available through custom requests before the 2016 Census. In 2016, this variable was included in Census data products for the first time.
