Latest release

Census of Population and Housing: Census dictionary

Detailed information about Census variables, concepts and terms.

Reference period

2021

15/10/2021

Introduction

The 2021 Census dictionary contains detailed information about Census variables and concepts. The dictionary helps data users better understand and interpret Census data.

The main sections of the dictionary include:

What’s new for 2021 - summary of changes to classifications, Census variables and Census questions since 2016. Lists new variables for 2021.
Variables index - alphabetical list of all variables. Variables can be selected to see more details.
Variables by topic - helps users find variables based on topic group. Variables can be selected to see more details.
Glossary - terms and definitions to assist data users gain a broader understanding of the Census and Census topics.

About Census variables

Information collected through the Census questions become data, which is output through variables. The Census dictionary details each variable and contains information on:

Variable definition
Scope (the population that the variable is applicable to)
Categories
How the variable is created
Questions on the Census form related to the variable
History and changes
Data use considerations (including non-response rates)
Related variables and glossary terms
Useful links

Census data is available through a suite of standard products, or as data customised for individual user requirements. This reference material should be used in conjunction with Census data.

What's new for 2021

Classifications

Census uses the current Australian standard classifications where applicable to ensure Census data is comparable and compatible with previous censuses and other ABS data. These classifications are reviewed on an irregular basis to reflect changes in the Australian society. Several changes have occurred to these classifications since 2016.

Changes to classifications

Classification	Impacted variables	Change
Australian Standard Classification of Cultural and Ethnic Groups, 2019 (ASCCEG)	Ancestry multi response (ANCP), Ancestry 1st response (ANC1P), Ancestry 2nd response (ANC2P)	'1105 - Norfolk Islander' has been added to the classification.
Standard Australian Classification of Countries, 2016 (SACC)	Country of birth of person (BPLP) Country of birth of father (BPMP) Country of birth of mother (BPFP)	3302 'Czech Republic' changed to 'Czechia' 9226 'Swaziland' changed to 'Eswatini' 3206 'Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia' has been updated to 'North Macedonia' 2402 spelling of 'Faeroe Islands' has been updated to 'Faroe Islands'
Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, 2013 v1.3 (ANZSCO)	Occupation (OCCP) Occupation skill level (OCSKP)	Minor changes to the classification mainly related to skill levels from 2016.

Variables

The following tables outline:

New variables - there are 56 new variables for 2021. Most of these are derived from the new questions on long-term health conditions and service in the Australian Defence Force.
Changed variables - changes to questions, standards and classifications can affect how the data is output. This table describes key changes to variables from 2016 to 2021.
Removed variables - details the three variables that were removed for 2021.

New variables

Variable	Mnemonic	Description of change
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family indicator	INGF	This variable indicates families that have at least one person who identified as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander who is a usual resident of that dwelling and was present on Census night.
Ancestry one or two response indicator	ANCRP	This variable records whether a person provides one or two responses to the ancestry question, which asks 'What is the person's ancestry?'. Up to two ancestries only are recorded.
Australian Defence Force service	ADFP	This variable describes whether a person is currently serving, has previously served, or has never served in the Australian Defence Force. This variable does not capture people who have served in non-Australian defence forces.
Australian Defence Force service, detailed	ADCP	This variable describes how a person responded to the Defence Force Service question. It provides a detailed breakdown of the various valid combinations that a person could mark on the form.
Count of adults (15 years and over) with selected long-term health condition(s) in household	CALTHD	This variable counts the number of adults aged 15 years and over in a household who reported they had at least one of the selected long-term health conditions.
Count of children with selected long-term health condition(s) in household	CCLTHD	This variable counts the number of children under 15 years of age in a household who reported they had at least one of the selected long-term health conditions.
Count of dependent children under 15 in family	CDCUF	This variable counts the number of dependent children under 15 years of age in the family. It includes up to three dependent children aged under 15 years who were temporarily absent from the household on Census night. This variable is related to the Count of Dependent Children Under 15 Temporarily Absent (CDCAF).
Count of dependent students (15-24 years) in family	CDSF	This variable counts the number of dependent students (15-24 years old) in the family. It includes up to three dependent students aged 15-24 years who were temporarily absent from the household on Census night. This variable is related to the Count of Dependent Students (15-24 years) Temporarily Absent (CDSAF).
Count of persons with selected long-term health condition(s) in household	CPLTHD	This variable counts the number of people in a household who reported they had at least one of the selected long-term health conditions.
Count of persons with selected long-term health condition(s) in household (ranges)	CPLTHRD	This variable counts the number of people in a household who reported they had at least one of the selected long-term health conditions and is output in ranges.
Count of selected long-term health conditions	CLTHP	This variable describes the number of selected long-term health conditions a person has. The selected long-term health conditions are arthritis, asthma, cancer, dementia, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, lung conditions, mental health condition and stroke. Other long-term health condition(s) are not included in the count.
Main source of family income (administrative data)	FSAF	This variable indicates the main source of income that a family received. This is based on all income recorded in administrative data for the 2020/2021 financial year of family members aged 15 years or older who were present in the household on Census Night.
Main source of household income (administrative data)	HSAD	This variable indicates the main source of income that a household received. This is based on all income recorded in administrative data for the 2020/2021 financial year of residents aged 15 years or older who were present in the household on Census Night.
Main source of personal income (administrative data)	ISAP	This variable indicates the main source of income that a person received based on all income recorded in administrative data for the 2020/2021 financial year.
Main type of family government benefit payment (administrative data)	FGAF	This variable indicates the main type of government benefit payment that a family received. This is based on all government benefits, pensions, and allowances recorded in administrative data for the 2020/2021 financial year of family members aged 15 years or older who were present in the household on Census Night.
Main type of household government benefit payment (administrative data)	HGAD	This variable indicates the main type of government benefit payment that a household received. This is based on all government benefits, pensions, and allowances recorded in administrative data for the 2020/2021 financial year of residents aged 15 years or older who were present in the household on Census Night.
Main type of personal government benefit payment (administrative data)	IGAP	This variable indicates the main type of government benefit payment that a person received based all government benefits, pensions, and allowances recorded in administrative data for the 2020/2021 financial year.
Mortgage affordability indicator	MAID	This variable indicates the number of households where mortgage repayments were 'less than or equal to 30%' or 'more than 30%' of an imputed household income.
Occupation experimental update version 1	OCCEV1P	This variable describes the primary job or occupation held by employed people in the week prior to Census Night. It has been created based on the ANZSCO - Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, 2021 and represents the 2021 Australian update.
Occupation skill level	OCSKP	This variable describes the occupation skill level of persons. Skill level is determined using the person’s occupation (see OCCP).
Occupation skill level experimental update version 1	OCSKEV1P	This variable describes the occupation skill level of persons. It has been created based on the ANZSCO - Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, 2021 and represents the 2021 Australian update.
Parent indicator	FPIP	This variable records the usually resident parent in a family household. It identifies parents of children in family households, provided the parent and child were counted in the same family on Census Night, or reported as temporarily absent on Census Night.
People with or working towards a non-school qualification	WTNSQP	This variable indicates whether a person has a non-school qualification, is working towards a non-school qualification or both. This is derived from Census measures of Non-school qualifications: level of education (QALLP) and Type of educational institution attending (TYPP).
Rent affordability indicator	RAID	This variable indicates the number of households where rent payments were 'less than or equal to 30%' or 'More than 30%' of an imputed household income.
Spouse/partner indicator	SPIP	This variable records the usually resident husband, wife or de facto partner in a couple family. It identifies the spouse or partner of each family reference person counted in the same family on Census Night or reported as temporarily absent on Census Night. The couple may be in a registered or de facto marriage.
Total family income (administrative data) (weekly)	FINAF	This variable is the sum of Total personal income (administrative data) (weekly) (INCAP) of each family member aged 15 years or older who was present in the household on Census Night. This excludes families where one or more family members aged 15 years and over did not have income information available in administrative data or was absent from the dwelling on Census Night.
Total family income as available (administrative data) (weekly)	FIAASF	This variable is the sum of Total personal income (administrative data) (weekly) (INCAP) of each family member aged 15 years or older who was present in the household on Census Night. This includes families where one or more family members did not have income information available in administrative data or was absent from the dwelling on Census Night.
Total household income (administrative data) (weekly)	HINAD	This variable is the sum of Total personal income (administrative data) (weekly) (INCAP) of each resident aged 15 years or older who was present in the household on Census Night. This excludes households where one or more resident did not have income information available in administrative data or was absent from the dwelling on Census Night.
Total household income as available (administrative data) (weekly)	HIAASD	This variable is the sum of Total personal income (administrative data) (weekly) (INCAP) of each resident aged 15 years or older who was present in the household on Census Night. This includes households where one or more residents did not have income information available in administrative data or was absent from the dwelling on Census Night.
Total personal income (administrative data) (weekly)	INCAP	This variable indicates the total weekly income (in ranges) that a person received, based on all income recorded in administrative data for the 2020/2021 financial year.
Type of long-term health condition	LTHP	This variable records the type of selected long-term health condition(s) a person has reported. Respondents can record multiple long-term health conditions.
Whether has arthritis	HARTP	This variable describes whether a person reported that they have arthritis.
Whether has arthritis and asthma	COARASP	This comorbidity variable describes whether a person reported having both arthritis and asthma.
Whether has arthritis and diabetes	COARDBP	This comorbidity variable describes whether a person reported having both arthritis and diabetes (excluding gestational diabetes).
Whether has arthritis and heart disease	COARHDP	This comorbidity variable describes whether a person reported having both arthritis and heart disease (including heart attack or angina).
Whether has arthritis and mental health condition	COARMHP	This comorbidity variable describes whether a person reported having both arthritis and a mental health condition (including depression or anxiety).
Whether has asthma	HASTP	This variable describes whether a person reported that they have asthma.
Whether has asthma and heart disease	COASHDP	This comorbidity variable describes whether a person reported having both asthma and heart disease (including heart attack or angina).
Whether has asthma and lung condition	COASLCP	This comorbidity variable describes whether a person reported having both asthma and a lung condition (including COPD or emphysema).
Whether has cancer (including remission)	HCANP	Describes whether a person reported that they have cancer (including cancer that is in remission).
Whether has cancer and heart disease	COCNHDP	This comorbidity variable describes whether a person reported having both cancer (including cancer that is in remission) and heart disease (including heart attack or angina).
Whether has dementia (including Alzheimer's)	HDEMP	This variable describes whether a person reported that they have dementia (including Alzheimer's).
Whether has diabetes (excluding gestational diabetes)	HDIAP	This variable describes whether a person reported that they have diabetes (excluding gestational diabetes).
Whether has diabetes and heart disease	CODBHDP	This comorbidity variable describes whether a person reported having both diabetes (excluding gestational diabetes) and heart disease (including heart attack or angina).
Whether has diabetes and kidney disease	CODBKDP	This comorbidity variable describes whether a person reported having both diabetes (excluding gestational diabetes) and kidney disease.
Whether has had a stroke	HSTRP	This variable describes whether a person reported that they have a had a stroke.
Whether has heart disease (including heart attack or angina)	HHEDP	This variable describes whether a person reported that they have heart disease (including heart attack or angina).
Whether has heart disease and kidney disease	COHDKDP	This comorbidity variable describes whether a person reported having both diabetes (excluding gestational diabetes) and kidney disease
Whether has heart disease and a mental health condition	COHDMHP	This comorbidity variable describes whether a person reported having both heart disease (including heart attack or angina) and a mental health condition (including depression or anxiety).
Whether has kidney disease	HKIDP	This variable describes whether a person reported that they have kidney disease.
Whether has a lung condition (including COPD and emphysema)	HLUNP	This variable describes whether a person reported that they have a lung condition (including COPD and emphysema).
Whether has a lung condition and mental health condition	COLCMHP	This comorbidity variable describes whether a person reported having both a lung condition (including COPD or emphysema) and a mental health condition (including depression or anxiety).
Whether has a mental health condition (including depression or anxiety)	HMHCP	This variable describes whether a person reported that they have a mental health condition (including depression or anxiety).
Whether has one or more long-term health condition(s)	HLTHP	This variable describes whether a person reported that they have one or more long-term health conditions or whether they reported they did not have any long-term health conditions.
Whether has other long-term health condition(s)	HOLHP	This variable describes whether a person reported that they have one or more long-term health conditions other than arthritis, asthma, cancer, dementia, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, a lung condition, a mental health condition or a stroke.
Whether reported using an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander language at home	LNGP	This variable records whether a person uses an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Language at home. This is derived from the Census variable Language used at home (LANP), which is coded using the Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL), 2016.

Changed variables

Variable	Mnemonic	Description of change
Age	AGEP	Update to question wording: 2016: 'What is the person's date of birth or age?' 2021: 'What is the person's date of birth and age?' The online form has been changed to primarily ask for date of birth (DOB). If the DOB is not known the respondent is presented with a check box so that they can enter the person’s age.
Ancestry 1st response	ANC1P	See Ancestry multi response (ANCP) for details on changes to the ancestry question and classification.
Ancestry 2nd response	ANC2P	See Ancestry multi response (ANCP) for details on changes to the ancestry question and classification.
Ancestry multi response	ANCP	For 2021, Australian Standard Classification of Cultural and Ethnic Groups, 2019 (ASCCEG) was used. In 2016, the ASCCEG, 2016 was used. Norfolk Islander (code 1105), was added in the updated classification to capture an ancestry reported by Norfolk Island residents following Norfolk Island’s inclusion in the Australian Census of Population and Housing for the first time in 2016. Response categories of ‘Aboriginal’ and ‘Torres Strait Islander’ were added to the question. For people who completed the Census online and who identified as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, these new response categories were displayed at the top of the list. The ‘other ancestries’ provided as examples in the instructional text have been updated. The order of the response categories has also been updated based on frequency of reporting in the 2016 Census results, with the exception of 'Australian'. As with previous censuses, 'Australian' is placed as the last option for selection (prior to the text entry boxes for 'Other ancestry/s') to encourage reporting of non-Australian ancestries where relevant.
Attainment of Certificate III or higher or working towards a non-school qualification	C3SP	‘Overseas visitor’ has been separated out from the @ Not applicable category, so it has its own category.
Attainment of Year 12 or Certificate II or higher	YR12C2P	‘Overseas visitor’ has been separated out from the @ Not applicable category, so it has its own category.
Attainment of Year 12 or Certificate III or higher	YR12C3P	‘Overseas visitor’ has been separated out from the @ Not applicable category, so it has its own category.
Australian citizenship	CITP	The output categories have been updated to include the word 'citizen'. This aligns with the Australian Citizenship Standard.
Community Development Program participation	CDPP	The spelling of the variable name and categories has been updated from 'programme' to 'program'.
Count of dependent children under 15 in family temporarily absent	CDCAF	Variable name updated to add 'in family' in the title to better reflect the scope.
Count of dependent students (15-24 years) in family temporarily absent	CDSAF	Variable name updated to add 'in family' in the title to better reflect the scope.
Count of non-dependent children in family temporarily absent	CNDAF	Variable name updated to add 'in family' in the title to better reflect the scope.
Country of birth of father	BPMP	See Country of birth of person (BPLP) for details on classification changes. Instructions have been added to the country of birth of father question to provide guidance on situations where the birth parent is unknown and there is a second parent, or the person has same-sex parents.
Country of birth of mother	BPFP	See Country of birth of person (BPLP) for details on classification changes. Instructions have been added to the country of birth of mother question to provide guidance on situations where the birth parent is unknown and there is a second parent, or the person has same-sex parents.
Country of birth of person	BPLP	There have been updates to the Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC), 2016 since the last Census: 'Czech Republic' has been changed to 'Czechia' 'Swaziland' has been changed to 'Eswatini' 'Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia' has been changed to 'North Macedonia' The spelling of 'Faeroe Islands' has been changed to 'Faroe Islands' The response categories order has also been changed to reflect the most common answers from the 2016 Census. Although China is a country with in which a large proportion of Australia's population were born, China does not have a response category on the form. This is to allow people to write in China, Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan.
Dwelling structure	STRD	Additional categories have been added to reflect changes to the question response options to align with changes to the ABS housing standard for dwelling structure. ‘In a four or more storey block’ has been split into two categories: 'In a four to eight storey block’ and ‘In a nine or more storey block’ There have also been changes to definitions for 'Separate house' and 'Semi-detached, row or terrace house, townhouse, etc.', removing the requirement that adjacent dwellings must be separated from one another by more than half a metre to be considered separate.
Educational institution: attendee status	TYSTAP	Code numbers have been updated to align better with the Type of educational institution attending (TYPP) variable. Category names have been updated to reflect changes to the question wording (see TYPP). Categories 61-65 have been added to capture people who stated they were attending a Tertiary institution but did not specify whether it was 'Vocational education (including TAFE and private training providers)' or 'University or other higher education'.
Employment flag	EMFP	‘Overseas visitor’ has been separated out from the @ Not applicable category, so it has its own category.
Engagement in employment, education and training	EETP	The variable has been expanded to include a more detailed breakdown of categories at a two-digit level for 'Fully engaged' and 'Partially engaged'. This is required for several national reporting measures and allows for more complex analysis.
Equivalised total household income (weekly)	HIED	An additional income range has been added to reflect changes to the personal income question response options. '$3,500 or more ($182,000 or more)' has been added. This change accounts for higher income ranges.
Hours worked (ranges)	HRWRP	The output categories for this variable have been updated to align with the updated Standards for Labour Force Statistics, 2018. There are now more categories available.
Household five year mobility indicator	MV5D	Reference year has been updated for 2021 in the definition. Updated category labels to improve interpretability. In 2016 they were labelled 'changed address during the last five years' and 'over five years'. This is confusing as the question directly asks: "Where did the person usually live five years ago (at 10 August 2016)?". It does not provide information over or during five years, but a point in time.
Household one year mobility indicator	MV1D	Reference year has been updated for 2021 in the definition. 'Not stated' category has changed to 'At least one resident did not state an address one year ago' to better reflect the scope.
Labour force participation flag	LFFP	‘Overseas visitor’ has been separated out from the @ Not applicable category, so it has its own category.
Landlord type	LLDD	The output categories have been updated to reflect changes to the question response options and order. '60 Housing co-operative/community/church group' has been changed to '21 Community housing provider' '40 Residential park (includes caravan parks and marinas)' has been changed to '40 Owner/manager of a residential park (includes caravan parks and manufactured home estates' '51 Employer - Government (including Defence Housing Authority)’ has been changed to '51 Employer - Government (including Defence Housing Australia)' Additional instructional text has been added for the 'Community housing provider' category and the response category order changed to place this category closer to the top. These changes to the category names and order of categories align with the ABS housing standards.
Language used at home	LANP	The variable name has been updated from Language spoken at home to Language used at home. This reflects changes to how the language question is asked. For 2021 the question asks, 'Does the person use a language other than English at home?' This question is now more relevant for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. An enhancement to the online form presents a check box for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander language for those respondents who identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander in the Indigenous status question. To improve the data collected on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, the person will also have the option of providing a specific language if they wish. The response categories order has changed based on the most common answers from the 2016 Census.
Level of highest educational attainment	HEAP	Undergraduate certificates are a new qualification and will be coded to category '420 Diploma level, nfd'. In previous censuses, nothing has been coded to this category. See also Non-school qualification: level of education (QALLP).
Level of workforce participation survey comparison flag	SVFP	The category label 'In scope of NIRA level of workforce participation survey comparison population' has changed to 'In scope of national reporting level of workforce participation survey comparison population'.
Method of travel to work	MTWP	Updated category names to reflect question wording changes on the form: 'Taxi' has been changed to 'Taxi/ride-share service' 'Tram' has been changed to 'Tram/light rail'
Method of travel to work (15 travel modes)	MTW15P	Updated category names to reflect question wording changes on the form: 'Taxi' has been changed to 'Taxi/ride-share service' 'Tram' has been changed to 'Tram/light rail' A supplementary code was added for 'Overseas visitors'.
Method of travel to work (6 travel modes)	MTW06P	The category label 'Mode not stated' has changed to 'Not stated'. A supplementary code was added for 'Overseas visitors'.
Mortgage repayments (monthly) ranges	MRERD	The category range of '$2,600 to $2,999' has been split into two: 16 $2,600 - $2,799 17 $2,800 - $2,999 Similarly, the next category range of '$3,000 -$3,999' was divided in two: 18 $3,000 - $3,499 19 $3,500 - $3,999 This change increases the number of ranges to better describe the distribution of current mortgage repayments.
Non-school qualification: field of study	QALFP	There are minor instructional changes to the main field of study question to provide guidance for people with double degrees.
Non-school qualification: level of education	QALLP	Undergraduate certificates are a new qualification and have been coded to category '420 Diploma Level, nfd'. In previous Censuses, nothing has been coded to this category. The Coding index was updated for the 2021 Census.
Number of bedrooms in private dwelling	BEDD	The category label 'None (includes bedsitters)' has been changed to 'None (includes studio apartments or bedsitters)' to reflect changes to the question response options.
Number of bedrooms in private dwelling (ranges)	BEDRD	The category label 'None (includes bedsitters)' has been changed to 'None (includes studio apartments or bedsitters)' to reflect changes to the question response options.
Number of motor vehicles	VEHD	For 2021, heavy vehicles have been specifically excluded from the definition of motor vehicles. In 2016, only motorbikes and scooters were excluded. This was changed to reflect changes to the question instructions.
Number of motor vehicles (ranges)	VEHRD	For 2021, heavy vehicles have been specifically excluded from the definition of motor vehicles. In 2016, only motorbikes and scooters were excluded. This was changed to reflect changes to the question instructions.
Occupation	OCCP	In 2016 the Australian and New Zealand Classification of Occupations, 2013 (ANZSCO), version 1.2 was used. For 2021, the updated version ANZSCO version 1.3 will be used. Most changes are related to skill level however there are some title changes. See the classification for details. Amendments to improve existing targeted supplementary questions for some industry/occupation topics were made on the online form. Refer to downloads section for the targeted supplementary questions and related trigger words.
Occupation (six digit level)	OCC06P	See Occupation (OCCP) above for details of changes to the Australian and New Zealand Classification of Occupations, 2013 (ANZSCO).
Place of usual residence five years ago	PUR5P	Supplementary code labels have been update to better reflect the scope: • 'Undefined State' has changed to 'State/Territory nfd' • 'Undefined Capital City' has changed to 'Capital City nfd' These not further defined (nfd) supplementary codes are used where a respondent has given incomplete address information on the Census form, but has given enough information to allow coding to a State/Territory or Capital City.
Place of usual residence one year ago	PUR1P	Supplementary code labels have been update to better reflect the scope: • 'Undefined State' has changed to 'State/Territory nfd' • 'Undefined Capital City' has changed to 'Capital City nfd' These not further defined (nfd) supplementary codes are used where a respondent has given incomplete address information on the Census form, but has given enough information to allow coding to a State/Territory or Capital City.
Place of usual residence	PURP	Additional instructional text was added to the online form to assist respondents with no fixed address.
Proficiency in spoken English	ENGLP	The variable name was changed from Proficiency in spoken English/language to Proficiency in spoken English. In 2016, there was another variable called Proficiency in spoken English (ENGP), but this has been removed for 2021 to avoid confusion between the two variables. The same data is available in this variable.
Registered marital status	MSTP	Registered marriages include same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples. Amendments to the Marriage Act 1961 came into effect on 9 December 2017 enabling same-sex couples to legally marry. Output categories will remain the same.
Relationship as reported for couples	RLCP	Two category labels have been changed: Category 1 - 'Husband or wife as reported, opposite-sex couple' has changed to 'Husband, wife or partner as reported, opposite-sex couple' Category 3 - 'Husband or wife as reported, same-sex couple' has changed to 'Husband, wife or partner as reported, same-sex couple'
Relationship in household	RLHP	Registered marriages include same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples. Amendments to the Marriage Act 1961 came into effect on 9 December 2017 enabling same-sex couples to legally marry. The category '11 Registered marriage' has been replaced with three categories: '12 In a registered marriage, opposite-sex couple' '13 In a registered marriage, male same-sex couple' '14 In a registered marriage, female same-sex couple'
Religious affiliation	RELP	The response order on the question has been changed based on common answers from the 2016 Census. Changes have been made to the ‘other’ examples given in the question instructions.
Rent (weekly) dollar values	RNTD	The applicability has changed so that now dwellings with the Tenure type of 'Occupied rent-free' are included in the 'Not applicable' category. This means that category '0000 Nil payments' will be removed. This change aligns with the ABS housing standards.
Rent (weekly) ranges	RNTRD	To better reflect the distribution of data, the $450-$549 range (category 18) has been split into $25 intervals being: '18 $450-$474' '19 $475-$499' '20 $500-$524' '21 $525-$549' The applicability has changed so that now dwellings with the Tenure type of 'Occupied rent-free' are included in the 'Not applicable' category. This means that '0 Nil payments' category will be removed. This change aligns with the ABS housing standards.
Same-sex couple indicator	SSCF	For 2021 this will now include same-sex marriages. Amendments to the Marriage Act 1961 came into effect on 9 December 2017 enabling same-sex couples to legally marry. The output categories will remain the same.
Sex	SEXP	The 2021 Census paper form and online form both include three response options: male; female; and non-binary sex. The online form also includes an optional write in response when non-binary sex is selected. For data releases, the ABS will continue to report sex with the binary options of male and female in most outputs. Analysis of non-binary sex responses will be reported in a feature article.
Social marital status	MDCP	Registered marriages include same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples. Amendments to the Marriage Act 1961 came into effect on 9 December 2017 enabling same-sex couples to legally marry. Processing business rules were changed, as this deals with relationships between people in the same household. Output categories will remain the same.
Tenure and landlord type	TENLLD	There has been a one change to a category label and a minor order change: 'Rented: Housing co-operative, community or church group' changed to 'Rented: Community housing provider' and moved from category 6 to category 5. 'Rented: Person not in same household' moved from category 5 to category 6. There has also been a change to the scope of '9 Other tenure type' category. For 2021, 'Other tenure type' includes houses being occupied rent-free. In previous Censuses, dwellings being occupied rent-free were included in the rented categories (4, 5, 6, 7 and 8). These changes aligns with the ABS housing standards.
Tenure type	TEND	Minor changes to category labels have been made. Category 3 - 'Being purchased under a shared equity scheme' changed to 'Purchased under a shared equity scheme' Category 5 - 'Being occupied rent-free' changed to 'Occupied rent-free' Category 6 - 'Being occupied under a life tenure scheme' changed to 'Occupied under a life tenure scheme' Category 7 - 'Other tenure type' changed to 'Other'
Total personal income (weekly)	INCP	An additional income range has been added to reflect changes to the personal income question options. '15 $3,000 or more ($156,000) has been split into two: '15 $3,000-$3499 ($156,000-$181,999)' '16 $3,500 or more ($182,000 or more)' This change accounts for higher income ranges.
Type of education institution attending	TYPP	In the online Census form, education institution is now two questions instead of one to make it easier for respondents to find the correct type of institution. The output categories have been changed to reflect the question wording changes. 'Infants' has been removed from the primary categories 'Technical or Further Educational Institution (including TAFE Colleges)' has been changed to 'Tertiary - Vocational education (including TAFE and private training providers)' 'University or other Tertiary Institution' has been changed to 'Tertiary - University or other higher education' Primary, secondary and tertiary not further defined fields have been added (categories 29, 39, 49) as this question is in two parts on the online form. The not further defined fields will get populated when a person only answers if they are attending an institution but does not specify the type, e.g. Catholic. In addition, to emphasise that respondents should include attendance at preschool, the question wording in the online form has changed for people in the household under the age of six. The question asks ‘Is the person attending a preschool, school or other education institution?’.
Unemployment flag	UEFP	Overseas visitor separated out from the @ Not applicable category, so it has its own category.
Unpaid assistance to a person with a disability, a long-term health condition or due to old age	UNCAREP	Variable name updated to better reflect the scope. In 2016, this variable was called Unpaid assistance to a person with a disability.
Usual address five years ago indicator	UAI5P	Descriptors with years have been updated for 2021. Update to instructional text, to better capture couch surfing: 'For persons who have no fixed or return address (for example, due to family conflict or eviction), write 'NONE' in the 'Suburb/Locality' box.'
Usual address indicator Census night	UAICP	Categories with years have been updated for 2021.
Usual address one year ago indicator	UAI1P	Categories with years have been updated for 2021.
Year of arrival in Australia	YARP	All categories have been updated from 1900 to 2016 singly to 1905 to 2021 singly.
Year of arrival in Australia (ranges)	YARRP	Categories ranges have been updated, ranges used to start from 1900 and go up to 9 August 2016. For 2021 they start from 1905 and go up to 10 August 2021.

Removed variables

Variable	Mnemonic	Description of change
Proficiency in spoken English	ENGP	Removed due to confusion with the ENGLP variable. Users can access the same data from ENGLP which has been renamed 'Proficiency in Spoken English'.
Dwelling internet connection	NEDD	The question on dwelling internet connection was not asked in the 2021 Census. Consultation suggested that with the growth in internet access outside of the home on mobile and other devices and the fast pace of technological change, the collection of data on household internet access in the Census now has less relevance.
Supported accommodation flag	SAFD	SAFD has been removed from the 2021 Census. This variable has not been released due to the sensitive nature of some supported accommodation types.

Variables index

Mnemonic	Variable	Topic	Release
ADCP	Australian Defence Force service, detailed	Service with the Australian Defence Force	June 2022	New
ADFP	Australian Defence Force service	Service with the Australian Defence Force	June 2022	New
AGE10P	Age in ten year groups	Population	June 2022
AGE5P	Age in five year groups	Population	June 2022
AGEP	Age	Population	June 2022
ANC1P	Ancestry 1st response	Cultural diversity	June 2022
ANC2P	Ancestry 2nd response	Cultural diversity	June 2022
ANCP	Ancestry multi response	Cultural diversity	June 2022
ANCRP	Ancestry one or two response indicator	Cultural diversity	June 2022	New
ASSNP	Core activity need for assistance	Disability and carers	June 2022
BEDD	Number of bedrooms in private dwelling	Housing	June 2022
BEDRD	Number of bedrooms in private dwelling (ranges)	Housing	June 2022
BPFP	Country of birth of mother	Cultural diversity	June 2022
BPLP	Country of birth of person	Cultural diversity	June 2022
BPMP	Country of birth of father	Cultural diversity	June 2022
BPPP	Country of birth of parents	Cultural diversity	June 2022
C3SP	Attainment of certificate III or higher or working towards a non-school qualification	National reporting	October 2022
CACF	Count of all children in family	Household and families	June 2022
CALTHD	Count of adults (15 years and over) with selected long-term health condition(s) in household	Health	June 2022	New
CCLTHD	Count of children with selected long-term health condition(s) in household	Health	June 2022	New
CDCAF	Count of dependent children under 15 in family temporarily absent	Household and families	June 2022
CDCF	Count of dependent children in family	Household and families	June 2022
CDCUF	Count of dependent children under 15 in family	Household and families	June 2022	New
CDPP	Community Development Program participation	Income and work	October 2022
CDSAF	Count of dependent students (15-24 years) in family temporarily absent	Household and families	June 2022
CDSF	Count of dependent students (15-24 years) in family	Household and families	June 2022	New
CHCAREP	Unpaid child care	Unpaid work and care	June 2022
CITP	Australian citizenship	Cultural diversity	June 2022
CLTHP	Count of selected long-term health conditions	Health	June 2022	New
CNDAF	Count of non-dependent children in family temporarily absent	Household and families	June 2022
CNDCF	Count of non-dependent children in family	Household and families	June 2022
COARASP	Whether has arthritis and asthma	Health	June 2022	New
COARDBP	Whether has arthritis and diabetes	Health	June 2022	New
COARHDP	Whether has arthritis and heart disease	Health	June 2022	New
COARMHP	Whether has arthritis and mental health condition	Health	June 2022	New
COASHDP	Whether has asthma and heart disease	Health	June 2022	New
COASLCP	Whether has asthma and lung condition	Health	June 2022	New
COCNHDP	Whether has cancer and heart disease	Health	June 2022	New
CODBHDP	Whether has diabetes and heart disease	Health	June 2022	New
CODBKDP	Whether has diabetes and kidney disease	Health	June 2022	New
COHDKDP	Whether has heart disease and kidney disease	Health	June 2022	New
COHDMHP	Whether has heart disease and mental health condition	Health	June 2022	New
COLCMHP	Whether has lung condition and mental health condition	Health	June 2022	New
CPAD	Count of persons temporarily absent from household	Household and families	June 2022
CPAF	Count of persons temporarily absent from family	Household and families	June 2022
CPLTHD	Count of persons with selected long-term health condition(s) in household	Health	June 2022	New
CPLTHRD	Count of persons with selected long-term health condition(s) in household (ranges)	Health	June 2022	New
CPRF	Count of persons in family	Household and families	June 2022
CTGP	Child type (including grandchildren)	Household and families	June 2022
CTPP	Child type	Household and families	June 2022
DLOD	Dwelling location	Housing	June 2022
DOMP	Unpaid domestic work: number of hours	Unpaid work and care	June 2022
DTWP	Distance to work (ranges)	Transport	April 2023
DWIP	Dwelling type indicator for persons	Housing	April 2023
DWTD	Dwelling type	Housing	June 2022
EETP	Engagement in employment, education and training	Education and training	October 2022
EMFP	Employment flag	National reporting	October 2022
EMPP	Number of employees	Income and work	October 2022
ENGLP	Proficiency in spoken English	Cultural diversity	June 2022
FBLF	Family blending	Household and families	June 2022
FGAF	Main type of family government benefit payment (administrative data)	Income and work	April 2023	New
FIAASF	Total family income as available (administrative data) (weekly)	Income and work	April 2023	New
FIDF	Family income derivation indicator	Income and work	June 2022
FINAF	Total family income (administrative data) (weekly)	Income and work	April 2023	New
FINASF	Total family income as stated (weekly)	Income and work	June 2022
FINF	Total family income (weekly)	Income and work	June 2022
FMCF	Family composition	Household and families	June 2022
FMGF	Grandparent families	Household and families	June 2022
FNOF	Family number	Household and families	June 2022
FPIP	Parent indicator	Household and families	June 2022	New
FRLF	Relationship between families	Household and families	June 2022
FSAF	Main source of family income (administrative data)	Income and Work	April 2023	New
FTCP	Form type	Population	April 2023
GNGP	Public/private sector	Income and work	October 2022
HARTP	Whether has arthritis	Health	June 2022	New
HASTP	Whether has asthma	Health	June 2022	New
HCANP	Whether has cancer (including remission)	Health	June 2022	New
HCFMD	Family household composition (dwelling)	Household and families	June 2022
HCFMF	Family household composition (family)	Household and families	June 2022
HDEMP	Whether has dementia (including Alzheimer's)	Health	June 2022	New
HDIAP	Whether has diabetes (excluding gestational diabetes)	Health	June 2022	New
HEAP	Level of highest educational attainment	Education and training	October 2022
HGAD	Main type of household government benefit payment (administrative data)	Income and Work	April 2023	New
HHCD	Household composition	Household and families	June 2022
HHEDP	Whether has heart disease (including heart attack or angina)	Health	June 2022	New
HIAASD	Total household income as available (administrative data) (weekly)	Income and work	April 2023	New
HIDD	Household income derivation indicator	Income and work	June 2022
HIED	Equivalised total household income (weekly)	Income and work	June 2022
HINAD	Total household income (administrative data) (weekly)	Income and work	April 2023	New
HINASD	Total household income as stated (weekly)	Income and work	June 2022
HIND	Total household income (weekly)	Income and work	June 2022
HKIDP	Whether has kidney disease	Health	June 2022	New
HLTHP	Whether has one or more long-term health condition(s)	Health	June 2022	New
HLUNP	Whether has lung condition (including COPD and emphysema)	Health	June 2022	New
HMHCP	Whether has mental health condition (including depression or anxiety)	Health	June 2022	New
HOLHP	Whether has other long-term health condition(s)	Health	June 2022	New
HOSD	Housing suitability	Housing	June 2022
HRSP	Hours worked	Income and work	October 2022
HRWRP	Hours worked (ranges)	Income and work	October 2022
HSAD	Main source of household income (administrative data) (weekly)	Income and work	April 2023	New
HSCP	Highest year of school completed	Education and training	June 2022
HSTRP	Whether has had a stroke	Health	June 2022	New
IFAGEP	Imputation flag for age	Population	June 2022
IFDTWP	Imputed distance to work	Transport	April 2023
IFMSTP	Imputation flag for registered marital status	Household and families	June 2022
IFNMFD	Imputation flag for number of males and females in dwelling	Household and families	June 2022
IFPOWP	Imputation flag for place of work	Location	October 2022
IFPURP	Imputation flag for place of usual residence	Location	June 2022
IFSEXP	Imputation flag for sex	Population	June 2022
IGAP	Main type of personal government benefit payment (administrative data)	Income and work	April 2023	New
INCAP	Total personal income (administrative data) (weekly)	Income and work	April 2023	New
INCP	Total personal income (weekly)	Income and work	June 2022
INDP	Industry of employment	Income and work	October 2022
INGDWTD	Indigenous household indicator	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples	June 2022
INGF	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family indicator	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples	June 2022	New
INGP	Indigenous status	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples	June 2022
ISAP	Main source of personal income (administrative data)	Income and work	April 2023	New
LANP	Language used at home	Cultural diversity	June 2022
LFFP	Labour force participation flag	National reporting	October 2022
LFHRP	Labour force status and hours worked not stated	Income and work	October 2022
LFSF	Labour force status of parents/partners in families	Income and work	October 2022
LFSP	Labour force status	Income and work	October 2022
LLDD	Landlord type	Housing	June 2022
LNGP	Whether reported using an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander language at home	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples	June 2022	New
LTHP	Type of long-term health condition	Health	June 2022	New
MAID	Mortgage affordability indicator	Housing	June 2022	New
MDCP	Social marital status	Household and families	June 2022
MRED	Mortgage repayments (monthly) dollar values	Housing	June 2022
MRERD	Mortgage repayments (monthly) ranges	Housing	June 2022
MSTP	Registered marital status	Household and families	June 2022
MTW06P	Method of travel to work (6 travel modes)	Transport	October 2022
MTW15P	Method of travel to work (15 travel modes)	Transport	October 2022
MTWP	Method of travel to work	Transport	October 2022
MV1D	Household one year mobility indicator	Location	October 2022
MV5D	Household five year mobility indicator	Location	October 2022
NPDD	Type of non-private dwelling	Housing	June 2022
NPRD	Number of persons usually resident in dwelling	Household and families	June 2022
OCCP	Occupation	Income and work	October 2022
OCCEV1P	Occupation experimental update version 1	Income and work	October 2022	New
OCSKP	Occupation skill level	Income and work	October 2022	New
OCSKEV1P	Occupation skill level experimental update version 1	Income and work	October 2022	New
OPGP	Homelessness operational groups	Housing	April 2023
POWP	Place of work	Location	October 2022
PUR1P	Place of usual residence one year ago	Location	October 2022
PUR5P	Place of usual residence five years ago	Location	October 2022
PURP	Place of usual residence	Location	June 2022
QALFP	Non-school qualification: field of study	Education and training	October 2022
QALLP	Non-school qualification: level of education	Education and training	October 2022
RAID	Rent affordability indicator	Housing	June 2022	New
RELP	Religious affiliation	Cultural diversity	June 2022
RLCP	Relationship as reported for couples	Household and families	June 2022
RLGP	Relationship in household (including grandchildren)	Household and families	June 2022
RLHP	Relationship in household	Household and families	June 2022
RLNP	Residential status in a non-private dwelling	Housing	June 2022
RNTD	Rent (weekly) dollar values	Housing	June 2022
RNTRD	Rent (weekly) ranges	Housing	June 2022
RPIP	Family/household reference person indicator	Household and families	June 2022
SEXP	Sex	Population	June 2022
SIEMP	Status in employment	Income and work	October 2022
SLPP	Sex of lone parent	Household and families	June 2022
SPIP	Spouse/partner indicator	Household and families	June 2022	New
SPLF	Location of spouse	Household and families	June 2022
SSCF	Same-sex couple indicator	Household and families	June 2022
STRD	Dwelling structure	Housing	June 2022
STUP	Full-time/part-time student status	Education and training	June 2022
SVFP	Level of workforce participation survey comparison flag	National reporting	October 2022
TEND	Tenure type	Housing	June 2022
TENLLD	Tenure and landlord type	Housing	June 2022
TISP	Number of children ever born	Population	June 2022
TISRP	Number of children ever born (ranges)	Population	June 2022
TYPP	Type of educational institution attending	Education and training	June 2022
TYSTAP	Educational institution: attendee status	Education and training	June 2022
UAI1P	Usual address one year ago indicator	Location	October 2022
UAI5P	Usual address five years ago Indicator	Location	October 2022
UAICP	Usual address indicator Census night	Location	June 2022
UEFP	Unemployment flag	National reporting	October 2022
UNCAREP	Unpaid assistance to a person with a disability, health condition, or due to old age	Disability and carers	June 2022
VEHD	Number of motor vehicles	Transport	June 2022
VEHRD	Number of motor vehicles (ranges)	Transport	June 2022
VOLWP	Voluntary work for an organisation or group	Unpaid work and care	June 2022
WTNSQP	People with or working towards a non-school qualification	National reporting	October 2022	New
YARP	Year of arrival in Australia	Cultural diversity	June 2022
YARRP	Year of arrival in Australia (ranges)	Cultural diversity	June 2022
YR12C2P	Attainment of year 12 or certificate II or higher	National reporting	October 2022
YR12C3P	Attainment of year 12 or certificate III or higher	National reporting	October 2022

Variables by topic

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Cultural diversity

Mnemonic	Variable	Release
ANC1P	Ancestry 1st response	June 2022
ANC2P	Ancestry 2nd response	June 2022
ANCP	Ancestry multi response	June 2022
ANCRP	Ancestry one or two response indicator	June 2022
BPFP	Country of birth of mother	June 2022
BPLP	Country of birth of person	June 2022
BPMP	Country of birth of father	June 2022
BPPP	Country of birth of parents	June 2022
CITP	Australian citizenship	June 2022
ENGLP	Proficiency in spoken English	June 2022
LANP	Language used at home	June 2022
RELP	Religious affiliation	June 2022
YARP	Year of arrival in Australia	June 2022
YARRP	Year of arrival in Australia (ranges)	June 2022

Disability and carers

Mneumonic	Variable	Release
ASSNP	Core activity need for assistance	June 2022
UNCAREP	Unpaid assistance to a person with a disability, health condition, or due to old age	June 2022

Education and training

Health

Mnemonic	Variable	Release
CALTHD	Count of adults (15 years and over) with selected long-term health condition(s) in household	June 2022	New
CCLTHD	Count of children with selected long-term health condition(s) in household	June 2022	New
CLTHP	Count of selected long-term health conditions	June 2022	New
COARASP	Whether has arthritis and asthma	June 2022	New
COARDBP	Whether has arthritis and diabetes	June 2022	New
COARHDP	Whether has arthritis and heart disease	June 2022	New
COARMHP	Whether has arthritis and mental health condition	June 2022	New
COASHDP	Whether has asthma and heart disease	June 2022	New
COASLCP	Whether has asthma and lung condition	June 2022	New
COCNHDP	Whether has cancer and heart disease	June 2022	New
CODBHDP	Whether has diabetes and heart disease	June 2022	New
CODBKDP	Whether has diabetes and kidney disease	June 2022	New
COHDKDP	Whether has heart disease and kidney disease	June 2022	New
COHDMHP	Whether has heart disease and mental health condition	June 2022	New
COLCMHP	Whether has lung condition and mental health condition	June 2022	New
CPLTHD	Count of persons with selected long-term health condition(s) in household	June 2022	New
CPLTHRD	Count of persons with selected long-term health condition(s) in household (ranges)	June 2022	New
HARTP	Whether has arthritis	June 2022	New
HASTP	Whether has asthma	June 2022	New
HCANP	Whether has cancer (including remission)	June 2022	New
HDEMP	Whether has dementia (including Alzheimer's)	June 2022	New
HDIAP	Whether has diabetes (excluding gestational diabetes)	June 2022	New
HHEDP	Whether has heart disease (including heart attack or angina)	June 2022	New
HKIDP	Whether has kidney disease	June 2022	New
HLTHP	Whether has one or more long-term health condition(s)	June 2022	New
HLUNP	Whether has lung condition (including COPD and emphysema)	June 2022	New
HMHCP	Whether has mental health condition (including depression or anxiety)	June 2022	New
HOLHP	Whether has other long-term health condition(s)	June 2022	New
HSTRP	Whether has had a stroke	June 2022	New
LTHP	Type of long-term health condition	June 2022	New

Household and families

Mnemonic	Variable	Release
CACF	Count of all children in family	June 2022
CDCAF	Count of dependent children under 15 in family temporarily absent	June 2022
CDCF	Count of dependent children in family	June 2022
CDCUF	Count of dependent children under 15 in family	June 2022	New
CDSAF	Count of dependent students (15-24 years) in family temporarily absent	June 2022
CDSF	Count of dependent students (15-24 years) in family	June 2022	New
CNDAF	Count of non-dependent children temporarily absent	June 2022
CNDCF	Count of non-dependent children in family	June 2022
CPAD	Count of persons temporarily absent from household	June 2022
CPAF	Count of persons temporarily absent from family	June 2022
CPRF	Count of persons in family	June 2022
CTGP	Child type (including grandchildren)	June 2022
CTPP	Child type	June 2022
FBLF	Family blending	June 2022
FMCF	Family composition	June 2022
FMGF	Grandparent families	June 2022
FNOF	Family number	June 2022
FPIP	Parent indicator	June 2022	New
FRLF	Relationship between families	June 2022
HCFMD	Family household composition (dwelling)	June 2022
HCFMF	Family household composition (family)	June 2022
HHCD	Household composition	June 2022
IFMSTP	Imputation flag for registered marital status	June 2022
IFNMFD	Imputation flag for number of males and females in dwelling	June 2022
MDCP	Social marital status	June 2022
MSTP	Registered marital status	June 2022
NPRD	Number of persons usually resident in dwelling	June 2022
RLCP	Relationship as reported for couples	June 2022
RLGP	Relationship in household (including grandchildren)	June 2022
RLHP	Relationship in household	June 2022
RPIP	Family/household reference person indicator	June 2022
SLPP	Sex of lone parent	June 2022
SPIP	Spouse/partner indicator	June 2022	New
SPLF	Location of spouse	June 2022
SSCF	Same-sex couple indicator	June 2022

Housing

Mnemonic	Variable	Release
BEDD	Number of bedrooms in private dwelling	June 2022
BEDRD	Number of bedrooms in private dwelling (ranges)	June 2022
DLOD	Dwelling location	June 2022
DWIP	Dwelling type indicator for persons	April 2023
DWTD	Dwelling type	June 2022
HOSD	Housing suitability	June 2022
LLDD	Landlord type	June 2022
MAID	Mortgage affordability indicator	June 2022	New
MRED	Mortgage repayments (monthly) dollar values	June 2022
MRERD	Mortgage repayments (monthly) ranges	June 2022
NPDD	Type of non-private dwelling	June 2022
OPGP	Homelessness operational groups	April 2023
RAID	Rent affordability indicator	June 2022	New
RLNP	Residential status in a non-private dwelling	June 2022
RNTD	Rent (weekly) dollar values	June 2022
RNTRD	Rent (weekly) ranges	June 2022
STRD	Dwelling structure	June 2022
TEND	Tenure type	June 2022
TENLLD	Tenure and landlord type	June 2022

Income and work

Mnemonic	Variable	Release
CDPP	Community Development Program participation	October 2022
EMPP	Number of employees	October 2022
FGAF	Main type of family government benefit payment (administrative data)	April 2023	New
FIAASF	Total family income as available (administrative data) (weekly)	April 2023	New
FIDF	Family income derivation indicator	June 2022
FINASF	Total family income as stated (weekly)	June 2022
FINAF	Total family income (administrative data) (weekly)	April 2023	New
FINF	Total family income (weekly)	June 2022
FSAF	Main source of family income (administrative data)	April 2023	New
GNGP	Public/private sector	October 2022
HGAD	Main type of household government benefit payment (administrative data)	April 2023	New
HIAASD	Total household income as available (administrative data) (weekly)	April 2023	New
HIDD	Household income derivation indicator	June 2022
HIED	Equivalised total household income (weekly)	June 2022
HINAD	Total household income (administrative data) (weekly)	April 2023	New
HINASD	Total household income as stated (weekly)	June 2022
HIND	Total household income (weekly)	June 2022
HRSP	Hours worked	October 2022
HRWRP	Hours worked (ranges)	October 2022
HSAD	Main source of household income (administrative data)	April 2023	New
IGAP	Main type of personal government benefit payment (administrative data)	April 2023	New
INCAP	Total personal income (administrative data) (weekly)	April 2023	New
INCP	Total personal income (weekly)	June 2022
INDP	Industry of employment	October 2022
ISAP	Main source of personal income (administrative data)	April 2023	New
LFHRP	Labour force status and hours worked not stated	October 2022
LFSF	Labour force status of parents/partners in families	October 2022
LFSP	Labour force status	October 2022
OCCP	Occupation	October 2022
OCCEV1P	Occupation experimental update version 1	October 2022	New
OCSKP	Occupation skill level	October 2022	New
OCSKEV1P	Occupation skill level experimental update version 1	October 2022	New
SIEMP	Status in employment	October 2022

Location

Population

Mnemonic	Variable	Release
AGE10P	Age in ten year groups	June 2022
AGE5P	Age in five year groups	June 2022
AGEP	Age	June 2022
FTCP	Form type	April 2023
IFAGEP	Imputation flag for age	June 2022
IFSEXP	Imputation flag for sex	June 2022
SEXP	Sex	June 2022
TISP	Number of children ever born	June 2022
TISRP	Number of children ever born (ranges)	June 2022

Service with the Australian Defence Force

Transport

Unpaid work and care

Mnemonic	Variable	Release
CHCAREP	Unpaid child care	June 2022
DOMP	Unpaid domestic work: number of hours	June 2022
VOLWP	Voluntary work for an organisation or group	June 2022

National reporting indicators

Mnemonic	Variable	Release
C3SP	Attainment of certificate III or higher or working towards a non-school qualification	October 2022
EMFP	Employment flag	October 2022
LFFP	Labour force participation flag	October 2022
SVFP	Level of workplace participation survey comparison flag	October 2022
UEFP	Unemployment flag	October 2022
WTNSQP	People with or working towards a non-school qualification	October 2022	New
YR12C2P	Attainment of year 12 or certificate II or higher	October 2022
YR12C3P	Attainment of year 12 or certificate III or higher	October 2022

Mnemonic	Variable	Variable Topic	Release
AGEP	Age	Population	June 2022
EETP	Engagement in employment, education and training	Education and training	October 2022
HEAP	Level of highest educational attainment	Education and training	June 2022
HOSD	Housing suitability	Housing	June 2022
INGP	Indigenous status	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples	June 2022

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Mnemonic	Variable	Release
INGDWTD	Indigenous household indicator	June 2022
INGF	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family indicator	June 2022	New
INGP	Indigenous status	June 2022
LNGP	Whether reported using an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander language at home	June 2022	New

Indigenous household indicator (INGDWTD)

Definition

This variable indicates households which have at least one person who identified as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. On Census Night the person needs to have been present and a usual resident at the dwelling.

Scope

Occupied private dwellings

Categories

Code	Category
1	Household with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person(s)
2	Other households
@	Not applicable

Number of categories: 3

Other households (2) category comprises of households where all persons were one, or a combination of, the following:

Persons who identified as non-Indigenous
Persons who had their Indigenous status set to not stated because the Indigenous status question was blank on the returned Census form
Persons who had their Indigenous status set to not stated because they were wholly imputed records for non-responding dwellings deemed occupied on Census night

Not applicable (@) category comprises:

Visitor only households
Other non-classifiable households
Unoccupied private dwellings
Non-private dwellings
Migratory, off-shore and shipping SA1s

Question(s) from the Census form

Is the person of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin?

How this variable is created

This variable is created from the Usual address indicator (UAICP) variable, Indigenous status (INGP) variable and Household composition (HHCD) variable. It is created by identifying whether at least one person in an occupied private dwelling is:

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Counted at home on Census Night.

Persons temporarily absent are excluded from this variable.

History and changes

This variable was introduced in 2011. For previous censuses, information about households with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people was available on request. In 2016, there were some minor changes made to the wording of the output categories.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Data use considerations

Changes in Indigenous status between censuses can affect the interpretation of Census data for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is important to remember that Indigenous status is collected through self-identification and any change in how a person chooses to identify will affect the count of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Census.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from one or more questions on the Census form.

The 2021 Post Enumeration Survey estimated that 983,257 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should have been counted in the Census, compared with 812,505 persons who were counted. This is equivalent to a net undercount of 170,752 persons, or a rate of 17.4%. For further information see Estimates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians methodology or Report on the quality of 2021 Census data: Statistical Independent Assurance Panel.

A person’s decision to identify as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin in the Census may be considered personal and sensitive. How a person responds to this question can be informed by many personal and external influences, both historical and contemporary (see Understanding change in counts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: Census, 2021). The response given may also depend on whether Indigenous status is provided directly by the individual or by someone else on behalf of the household. As a result, some people choose not to answer the Indigenous status question in the Census.

If no answer is provided to the Indigenous status question, a person’s Indigenous status is set to ‘not stated’. A person’s Indigenous status is also set to ‘not stated’ where person records are imputed for dwellings that were deemed occupied on Census night but for which no Census form was received. The Census does not impute Indigenous status for people or dwellings.

In 2024, an error was identified where 15 dwellings were incorrectly classified to the category 'Household with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person(s)' when they should have been categorised to 'Other households'. These dwellings are spread across 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Queensland and South Australia and they are composed of 45 persons in 19 families.

Related variables and glossary terms

Indigenous status (INGP)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family indicator (INGF)
Usual address indicator (UAICP)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Household

Useful links

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Census