Religious affiliation (RELP)

This variable shows a person’s religious affiliation. In this context, religious affiliation refers to the religion a person nominates an association with. This may be different from their practice of, or participation in, religious activity. The Census also allows people to respond with secular or spiritual beliefs, and to indicate if they have no religious affiliation at all.  Answering this question in the Census is optional. 

All persons

Religious affiliation (RELP) is classified using the Australian Standard Classification of Religious Groups (ASCRG). In 2024, the ASCRG underwent significant review. Details of the review and changes to the classification can be found in the about the review section.

Number of categories:   

• one-digit: 11 
• two-digit: 43 
• four-digit: 165 

See Understanding supplementary codes for more information.    

This variable is derived from responses to the religious affiliation question, which are coded to the Australian Standard Classification of Religious Groups (ASCRG).  

The question includes the 10 most common responses from the 2021 Census as mark boxes, as well as a free text field. 

Most responses are coded automatically from the mark box options. Written responses are generally coded automatically; however, manual coding processes are used where automatic coding cannot be applied.  

Processing rules were updated to improve the accuracy and level of detail of information coded for responses that include both a marked response option and free text information. Religions not included in the classification are coded to ‘Inadequately described’. 

A question about religion was asked in the first Australian Census in 1911 and has been asked in every Census since. This question has always been optional, but most people still choose to answer it. 

In 2026, the religions included in the picklist, and their order, were updated to match the most common religions from the previous Census. This type of update happens every Census. 

Updates were made to the instructional text to encourage respondents to provide further details about their religion if it is not included in the picklist. 

Updates were also made to the examples in the instructional text and drop down for more information on the web. 

The Australian Standard Classification of Religious Groups (ASCRG) used to code responses for this variable was reviewed in 2024; for details and changes, see the about the review section. 2026 marks the first Census with the 2024 revised classification used to code responses for this variable.