This variable counts the number of bedrooms in each occupied private dwelling. A private dwelling is defined in dwelling structure (STRD). In addition to houses, flats and apartments, it includes caravans in caravan parks, occupied tents, and houseboats.
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 based on responses to the question on the number of bedrooms question on the Census form. Responses are captured automatically from written numeric answers or from the ‘None’ mark box on the paper form.
Responses from 0 to 29 bedrooms are recorded as reported, while any response of 30 or more bedrooms is assigned to the grouped category ‘30 or more bedrooms’.
History and changes
A question on the number of rooms or bedrooms has been part of every Census since 1911. The specific question on the number of bedrooms in a private dwelling was first asked in 1976.
In 1986, the Census form asked for counts of several room types, but only the number of bedrooms was kept in the digital record. The 1991 and 1996 Censuses then collected only the number of bedrooms.
