The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is taking a digital-first approach for the 2026 Census. Most households will get a letter with instructions to complete the Census online. This will include a Census number and temporary password.
The ABS will provide paper forms to everyone who wants one. In areas where we expect a strong preference or need to use a paper form, we will deliver them directly to households.
Some of the reasons why areas will be selected to receive paper forms directly include:
- quality of the postal service
- regional and remote locations
- past Census completion behaviours
- demographics.
In some areas Census staff will visit households to support people to understand and complete the Census form, or conduct in-person interviews.
Support for remote Indigenous communities
The ABS works closely with local community organisations to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are provided with culturally appropriate options to participate in the Census.
For remote Indigenous communities, the Census will be conducted over an extended period between July and September. This will give Census remote teams more time to visit remote communities and help people complete the Census
Census staff will visit remote communities between July and September to help people to complete the Census through face-to-face interviews.