2026 Census: 2025 Test Collection Notice

Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics counts every person and household in Australia. This is called the Census of Population and Housing. The Census is a snapshot of Australia’s people and housing and tells the story of how we are changing. The next Census will be held in 2026.

Before each Census, it is important to test how we will run it. The Census Test helps ensure our systems and processes work well and that the form captures the right information, in the right way. 

The ABS will undertake the Census Test in August 2025. This Collection Notice explains the collection of personal information for the 2025 Census Test. 

Participation in the Census Test is important to ensure the 2026 Census delivers a positive, safe and secure Census experience that produces high quality data.

Who is collecting my personal information?

Your personal information is being collected by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).  

The authority to conduct this activity comes from the Census and Statistics Act 1905. 

How is my personal information collected?

The ABS may collect personal information from:

  • the Census Test form and from processes that help us run the Census Test
  • surveys and other mechanisms to help us understand the effectiveness of the Census Test (including a Post-Census Review in October and November 2025)
  • through correspondence such as emails to the ABS
  • communications via ABS social media channels
  • via our website feedback and enquiry form
  • via phone calls received by the ABS and partner agencies

Where a Census Test form is collecting your personal information, one person in each household usually completes the form for everyone at home on Census Test night, 5 August 2025. We encourage you to share this notice with other people in your household.

You can complete the Census Test online or by paper. You can contact us to request an extra form to complete your Census Test separately from other household members. 

What personal information is collected?

When you, or other people in your household, contact the ABS through the above-mentioned channels, the ABS will collect personal information about you and other people in your household. This may include, but not limited to: 

  • name
  • address (e.g. current and previous residential address, Census Test night address)
  • basic demographics (e.g. age, sex at birth, marital status, relationships to others in the household)
  • personal characteristics (e.g. date of birth, country of birth, languages spoken, education qualification, employment information and income)
  • sensitive personal information (e.g. religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity and long-term health conditions)
  • your opinion on your experience filling out the Census Test form, including any questions that caused you problems or any other issues in completing the form 

If the Census Test form is completed online, the ABS will collect information supplied by your browser. For more information refer to the Website privacy, copyright and disclaimer

Why does the ABS collect my personal information?

The Census Test is used to assist the ABS in preparing for the 2026 Census. 

The data from the Census Test, including personal information, will assist the ABS to evaluate the effectiveness of questions and refine operations in preparation for the 2026 Census.

Personal information from the Census Test is kept confidential and will not be released publicly. 

Selected households within the Census Test locations will be contacted by ABS staff for a Post Census Review. The review will help confirm the accuracy and quality of key information collected within the Census Test.

How will administrative data be used in the Census Test?

The 2025 Census Test provides an opportunity for the ABS to explore how data from a variety of trusted sources (known as ‘administrative data’) can support and improve Census operations ahead of 2026. This data is being tested across three key areas:

  • Improving coverage and data quality (i.e. ABS Address Register)
  • Supporting enumeration and operational planning
  • Enabling statistical imputation and innovation

The ABS is continuing to develop registers of addresses and business locations in Australia. For example, the ABS Address Register is an up-to-date, comprehensive list of all known physical addresses within Australia; and the Business Location Asset is a national coverage of geospatially enabled business location data. Census Test address data may be used to enhance the quality of these registers.

All administrative data is handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles, with strict governance and security measures in place. Privacy considerations for the 2026 Census are being assessed through a comprehensive three-phase Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) process, ensuring that privacy risks are identified and managed at each stage of development and implementation.

How will the ABS keep my information safe, secure, and confidential?

The ABS takes the security of the information you provide seriously. 

All ABS employees have signed a legally enforceable Undertaking of Fidelity and Secrecy in which they agree to keep any information, including personal information which they may deal with in the course of their work, private and confidential. This agreement applies to ABS employees for the rest of their lives, even if they leave the ABS. The penalty for breaching this is two years imprisonment, a $39,600 fine, or both. 

We comply with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Archives Act 1983 in the storage, collection, access, use, disclosure, retention and destruction of personal information. 

The ABS complies with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). Adhering to the APPs ensures personal information is collected and used only for legitimate purposes, and individuals are informed about how their data is managed. The APPs require that organisations take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, loss, and unauthorised access, ensuring data quality and security.

All retained personal information is stored in secure data centres located within Australia. 

We have privacy policies for Statistical Information and Managing and Operating Our Business, which provide further information about how the ABS manage and protect your personal information. 

For further information see Privacy, security and confidentiality.

How long will my personal information be kept?

The ABS will keep names and addresses from the Census Test form for up to 12 months in accordance with the ABS Records Disposal Authority 2021/00429564.

Other personal information collected to help us run the Census Test will be retained in accordance with the Archives Act 1983.

Will my personal information be shared outside of the ABS?

For all personal information collected in the Census Test, the ABS will not: 

  • share information in a way that would identify anyone
  • share information with private organisations, such as direct marketing companies
  • share data with other government agencies for compliance or regulation activities
  • disclose your personal information to any organisation located overseas

What happens if I refuse to complete the Census Test form?

The Census Test is voluntary. Your participation in the Census Test is important to ensure the 2026 Census is a positive, safe and secure Census experience and produces quality statistics.

However, keep in mind that the 2026 Census itself is compulsory under the Census and Statistics Act 1905.

How do I access and correct my personal information?

It is not possible to access or change information on a Census Test form that has been submitted. If the personal information you provided in the Census Test has changed, you do not need to correct it. The Census Test captures information at a point in time. 

However, you can request access to, or correction of, other personal information collected by the ABS in connection with the Census Test (e.g. correspondence or contact records) by contacting the ABS Privacy Officer using the details below.

If we are unable to correct your information as requested, we will explain the reasons why. We aim to respond to all access and correction requests within 30 calendar days.

The ABS Privacy Policy for Statistical Information has more information about accessing and correcting your personal information held by the ABS.

How do I make a privacy complaint?

The ABS Privacy Policy for Statistical Information has information about how you can make a complaint if you feel we have not adequately protected your privacy. The Policy describes how we will respond to your complaint, and what you can do if you are not satisfied with our response. 

You can contact the ABS Privacy Officer (details below) who will respond to your enquiries or assist with complaints. 

By email: privacy@abs.gov.au 

By post: ABS Privacy Officer
Australian Bureau of Statistics
Locked Bag 10, Belconnen ACT 2616

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