In preparation for the 2026 Census, Australia is set to conduct a test next month that will include new questions about sexual orientation and gender identity. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) announced that these questions will specifically target individuals aged 16 and over.
The upcoming Census test, which aims to gather crucial data, will be rolled out in selected areas including Rockhampton, Gladstone, and Yeppoon in Queensland, as well as Melbourne in Victoria, and locations in Western Australia and New South Wales. Approximately 60,000 households are involved in this pilot phase.
Jenny Telford, Census General Manager, emphasised the importance of this test for ensuring a smooth Census process in 2026, stating that it will facilitate the testing of collection processes and IT systems to secure accurate data gathering. The ABS also plans to modify the sex question to register details as “sex recorded at birth” and will introduce more inclusive, non-gendered terms in the household and family section.
The Census test is scheduled for 5 August 2025, and participants will have the option to complete the form online via myGov. LGBTIQ+ advocates have been pushing for the inclusion of sexual orientation queries within the Census framework, reflecting a broader move towards inclusivity and representation for diverse communities.
As part of the update, the ABS will assess the test results and make necessary adjustments to question designs to ensure they effectively capture the intended information.