Residential status in a non-private dwelling (RLNP)

Latest release
Census of Population and Housing: Census dictionary
Reference period
2026

Definition

This variable describes the residential status of each person in a non‑private dwelling. It shows whether people counted in places like motels, hospitals or colleges are staying there as: 

  • staff members of the accommodation (such as an owner, proprietor, porter, cook, teacher, warden, or the family of an owner or staff member) 
  • residents 
  • guests 
  • patients 
  • inmates 

People in nonprivate dwellings complete the Census personal form, so information about their housing and family relationships is not available. 

Scope

All persons in a non-private dwelling on Census night

Categories

CodeCategory
1 Owner, proprietor, staff and family 
2 Guest, patient, inmate, other resident 
& Not stated 
@ Not applicable 
V Overseas visitor 

Number of categories:  5 

Not applicable (@) category comprises: 

  • persons in occupied private dwellings 
  • persons in migratory, offshore or shipping SA1s 

See Understanding supplementary codes for more information. 

Question(s) from the Census form

What is the person’s residential status in this dwelling?

How this variable is created

This variable is collected through the Census personal form. The information comes from the question on residential status in this dwelling, where respondents select one of eight mark box options. These responses are then grouped into output categories for reporting purposes. 

History and changes

A question on status in a non-private dwelling was first asked in the 1976 Census and has been asked for every Census since then. 

There have been no changes for the 2026 Census. 

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