ABS consults further on topics for the 2026 Census
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is today publishing a shortlist of topics being considered for the 2026 Census and launching the next phase of public consultation.
Georgia Chapman, Director 2026 Census Content said, “earlier this year, the ABS invited the Australian community to tell us what they think should be included in the next Census.
“We received 260 submissions and considered more than 500 other pieces of feedback as part of this consultation.
“The Australian Census currently has 53 topics. This would more than double to accommodate the requests we received during the first phase of consultation.
“The ABS has evaluated the value to the public of collecting each of these new topics and all of the existing topics, to develop our shortlist of topics for further consideration in the 2026 Census.”
The ABS is now seeking public feedback to understand the impacts of the proposed changes to the topics.
“There are more requests for new topics than can be accommodated in the Census, so new topics need to be prioritised and existing topics need to be considered for removal.
“This is the time to let us know if there will be impacts for you or your organisation if we changed or removed one of the shortlisted topics.
“Following this consultation, the ABS will assess the shortlisted topics further based on the feasibility of collecting the data in the Census. This assessment will inform the decision on which topics proceed to testing.
“New topics in the Census are carefully considered to balance the cost to the Australian taxpayer and the burden on households when answering additional questions.”
The second phase of consultation is open until 8 September 2023.
In 2024, the ABS will make a recommendation to the Government on the topics for the next Census. The final decision on 2026 Census topics will be made by the Government.
The ABS thanks everyone who provided feedback during phase one of the consultation, and for Australia’s ongoing support of the Census.
For more information view 2026 Census topic review: phase one directions.
| Theme | Topic |
|---|---|
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural identity |
| Cultural diversity | Ethnic identity |
| Disability and carers | Additional measure of disability |
| Household and families | Shared care of children |
| Housing | Dwelling occupancy status |
| Location | Main reason for moving in last 12 months |
| Population | Gender |
| Sexual orientation | |
| Variations of sex characteristics | |
| Transport | Journey to education (Mode of travel to education institution and Name and address of education institution) |
| Other topics | Household energy use |
| Impact of natural disasters |
| Theme | Topic | Proposed change |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural diversity | Ancestry | Assess feasibility of increasing the number of ancestries collected |
| Country of birth of parents | Investigate feasibility of redesigning the question to be more inclusive and meet data needs | |
| Main language other than English used at home | Assess feasibility of removing “at home” or collecting all languages used | |
| Proficiency in spoken English | Assess feasibility of asking the question of more people | |
| Religious affiliation | Review question design and response categories | |
| Education and training | Attendance at an educational institution | Assess feasibility of new response categories |
| Health | Long-term health conditions | Assess feasibility of new response categories |
| Household and families | Household and family relationships | Assess feasibility of improving data on diverse family structures |
| Marital status | Review response categories | |
| Persons temporarily absent on Census night | Assess feasibility of asking additional questions | |
| Income and work | Hours worked | Assess change from actual hours worked to usual hours worked |
| Income | Assess feasibility of replacing with administrative data | |
| Labour force status | Assess feasibility of collecting data on joblessness | |
| Status in employment | Assess feasibility of collecting data on employment arrangements | |
| Population | Sex | Review question design to collect sex recorded at birth and response categories |
| Transport | Mode of travel to work | Review question design and response categories |
| Theme | Topic | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Income and work | Number of employees (employed by owner managers) | Availability of alternative data sources |
| Population | Number of children ever born | Move to decennial collection |
| Transport | Number of motor vehicles | Availability of alternative data sources |
| Unpaid work and care | Unpaid work - domestic activities | Availability of alternative data sources |
Media notes
- For media requests and interviews, contact the ABS Media Team on media@abs.gov.au or 1300 175 070.
- Submissions to the 2026 Census topic consultation process can be made through the ABS consultation hub.
- Further information on 2026 Census topic consultation is available on the ABS website and on the Census Media Hub.
- For updates about the process, subscribe at www.subscribe.abs.gov.au/2026Census.