Unpaid domestic work: number of hours (DOMP)

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

Definition

This variable records the number of hours people spent in the previous week doing domestic work without pay. Domestic work is work for the individual or household, whether in the household or in other places.  

Unpaid domestic work can include:  

  • meal preparation, service and clean-up  
  • washing, ironing and managing clothes  
  • any other housework  
  • gardening, mowing and yard work  
  • home maintenance  
  • car/bike maintenance  
  • household shopping and managing household financial affairs 
  • maintaining home internet connections and computer systems 
  • pet and animal care 
  • travel associated with unpaid domestic work

Any domestic work done as part of paid employment is excluded.

Data from this variable will help provide an understanding of the way individuals and families balance paid work with other important aspects of their lives. For example, family and community commitments.

Scope

Persons aged 15 years and over

Categories

CodeCategory
1 Nil hours
2 Less than 5 hours
3 5 to 14 hours
4 15 to 29 hours
5 30 hours or more
& Not stated
@ Not applicable
V Overseas visitor

Number of categories: 8 

Not applicable (@) category comprises: 

  • persons aged under 15 years

See Understanding supplementary codes for more information.

Question from the Census form

In the last week did the person spend time doing unpaid domestic work for their household?

How this variable is created

This variable is based on the unpaid domestic work question on the Census form. Responses are automatically captured from marked boxes, minimising processing errors. If more than one response is selected, the ‘Yes’ option indicating the highest number of hours is recorded, overriding all other responses, including ‘No’. 

History and changes

The question on unpaid domestic work was first asked in 2006. 

There have been no changes for the 2026 Census. 

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