This variable describes a person's gender experience as cisgender or transgender and/or gender diverse. It uses information provided in the sex recorded at birth and gender questions.
This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What is Person 1’s gender?
Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: This question refers to how Person 1 currently identifies or expresses their gender, which may be different to sex at birth.
Underneath the instructional text, is a clickable More Information header. Once clicked, the More Information is shown, and states: This question is only asked for people aged 16 years and older. Data from this question will help plan health and social programs and services.
The response options are: Man; Woman; Non-binary; Person 1 uses another term (specify), followed by a free text field; Prefer not to answer.
What was the person’s sex recorded at birth?
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Description
This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What was Person 1’s sex recorded at birth?
Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: If Person 1 was not recorded as male or female on their birth registration, you can select another term. ‘Select another term’ is a link. Once clicked, an alternative version of the question is presented. The alternative question is presented below.
The response options are: Male; Female.
What was the person’s sex recorded at birth? - Expanded options
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Description
This image shows the sex recorded at birth question from the 2026 Census online form with expanded response options after the respondent has clicked on ‘Select another term’. This question asks: What was Person 1’s sex recorded at birth?
Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Select 'Another term' when Person 1 was registered as something other than male or female at birth. Select the option that applies, or you can select from only male or female. ‘Select from only male or female’ is a link. Once clicked, the original version of the question is presented.
The response options are: Male; Female; Another term.
How this variable is created
This variable is derived using responses to both the sex recorded at birth and gender questions. Where sex recorded at birth aligns with reported gender (for example, female sex recorded at birth and woman gender), gender experience is classified as cisgender. Where sex recorded at birth differs from reported gender (for example, male sex recorded at birth, woman gender), gender experience is classified as transgender and/or gender diverse.
When a trans-related term is provided in response to the gender question, this is coded to the appropriate transgender and/or gender diverse category regardless of the sex recorded at birth response.
