Child type (including grandchildren) (CTGP)

Latest release
Census of Population and Housing: Census dictionary
Cite
Reference period
2021

Definition

This variable records the different child types within a family, including grandchildren. It recognises a grandchild regardless of the age of the grandchild. This variable is different to the standard Child type (CTPP) variable which does not capture grandchildren. 

This variable can only be used with other related grandparent/grandchild variables. These variables are:

  • Grandparent families (FMGF)
  • Relationship in household (including grandchildren) (RLGP)

It cannot be used with standard family variables.

Scope

All children

Categories

CodeCategory
1Natural, or adopted child of both parents or lone parent
2Step child of male parent
3Step child of female parent
4Foster child, so stated
5Grandchild
6Otherwise related child (under 15)
7Unrelated child (under 15)
@Not applicable
VOverseas visitor

Number of categories: 9

Not applicable (@) category comprises:

  • Husband, wife, partners, lone parents, other related individuals, non-family members, or visitors (from within Australia) in family households
  • Persons in non-family/non-classifiable households
  • Persons in non-private dwellings
  • Persons in migratory, off-shore and shipping SA1s

See Understanding supplementary codes for more information.

Question(s) from the Census form

What is the person’s relationship to Person 1/Person 2?

What is the person's date of birth and age?

Is the person attending a school or other education institution?

For each person away, complete the following questions:

How this variable is created

This variable is created using responses to the relationship in household, age, attendance at an educational institution and persons temporarily absent (PTA) questions on the Census form. It is derived from the Relationship in household (including grandparents) (RLGP) variable.

This variable classifies a person as a grandchild, regardless of age, if their Relationship in household (including grandchildren) (RLGP) to the family reference person is either a:

  • 34 Grandchild under 15
  • 44 Dependent student grandchild
  • 54 Non dependent grandchild

Child type (including grandchildren) (CTGP) is different to the standard family variable Child type (CTPP). The table below outlines these differences and how each variable classifies the child.

ScenarioHow it would be coded in CTGPHow it would be coded in CTPP
Person aged 15 years or more and has relationship of grandchild to Person 1/Person 25 Grandchild@ Not applicable
Person aged under 15 and has relationship of grandchild to Person 1/Person 25 Grandchild35 Otherwise related child under 15

History and changes

This variable was created in 2011.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Data use considerations

Users should note that grandparent-grandchild relationships are constructed for the purposes of family coding in order to create a statistical family. It may not be representative of who provides care.

For example, a scenario could be that a 20 year old grandchild lives with her grandmother. She is a full-time student and is dependent on her grandmother. Alternatively, she may have moved in with her grandmother specifically to take care of her. It is important that users do not make assumptions about grandparent families.

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

Related variables and glossary terms

  • Grandparent families (FMGF)
  • Relationship in household (including grandchildren) (RLGP)
  • Child

Useful links