Sex Code N

Type: Value Domain
Identifiers: UUID - e013deba-bfea-11e9-b1b5-0242c0a8800a; Registry ID - 635128
Origin URI: Jump to original
Stewardship Organisation: NSW Dept. Communities and Justice
Endorsed by: FACSIAR Data Governance Committee : Standard on July 7, 2021

View registration history
Last updated: 01 November 2023
Created: 16 March 2017
Supersedes: None
Superseded by: None
Collections: None

Definition

A code set representing the biological distinction between male, female and other.

Representation

Data Type	NUMBERSTRING
Format	N
Maximum character length	1

Values

	Value	Meaning	Start Date	End Date
Permissible Values	1	Male	None	None
	2	Female	None	None
	3	Other	July 1, 2019	None
Supplementary Values	9	Not stated/inadequately described	None	None
Supplementary Values	99	Not known	None	None

Reference Classification

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Comments

Guide for use:

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Standard for Sex and Gender Variables includes the following Alternate Code system:

M Male

F Female

X Other

For statistical purposes, the following category codes, labels and definitions are preferred:

CODE 1 Male

Persons who have male or predominantly masculine biological characteristics, or male sex assigned at birth.

CODE 2 Female

Persons who have female or predominantly feminine biological characteristics, or female sex assigned at birth.

CODE 3 Other

Persons who have mixed or non-binary biological characteristics (if known), or a non-binary sex assigned at birth.

The value meaning of 'Other' has been assigned to Code 3 for this value domain, which replaces 'Intersex or indeterminate' for the superseded value domain Sex code N. Terms such as 'indeterminate', 'intersex', 'non-binary', and 'unspecified' are variously used to describe the 'Other' category of sex. The label 'Other' is used because a more descriptive term has not been widely agreed within the general community.

Sex refers to the chromosomal, gonadal and anatomical characteristics associated with biological sex. Where there is an inconsistency between anatomical and chromosomal characteristics, sex is based on anatomical characteristics.

Comments:

The ABS will periodically review its Standard for Sex and Gender Variables. This process will specifically investigate the appropriateness of the naming of the 'Other' category.

Origin

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016. Standard for Sex and Gender Variables (Cat. no. 1200.0.55.012). Viewed 26 July 2016.

Attorney-General's Department 2015. Australian Government Guidelines on the Recognition of Sex and Gender. Viewed 26 July 2016.