Final Phase ABS 2026 Census privacy recommendations released

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today published the independent findings of the third and final phase of the 2026 Census Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA), along with its response. 

The ABS undertook a three-phased PIA for the 2026 Census. The PIA process is a key part of ensuring privacy considerations remain central to ABS decisions when designing the Census and using Census data. 

The ABS has agreed with all the recommendations in the third phase and will implement them as part of ongoing preparations for the 2026 Census. 

Census General Manager, Jenny Telford, said the acceptance and implementation of the phase three PIA recommendations was an important milestone ahead of the 2026 Census. 

“We will implement the phase three Privacy Impact Assessment recommendations in full, reinforcing our ongoing commitment to safeguarding personal information while delivering the Census,” Ms Telford said. 

“The third and final phase of the PIA considered the use of administrative data to enhance Census data quality, and the provision of separate Census forms for individuals to allow them to keep their response private from the rest of their household. 

“It also considered arrangements for safe and secure sharing of Census data, and the ABS’ assurance processes to manage external vendor privacy and security compliance.  

“The ABS has been using earlier PIA recommendations to guide our Census planning since February 2024 and has already begun implementing the recommendations from this report.”  

IIS Partners (Information Integrity Solutions) conducted all three phases of the PIA.  

The ABS thanks IIS and all the participants who shared feedback through the PIA process. 

More information on Privacy Impact Assessments and ABS responses is available on our website along with information about planning for the 2026 Census. 

The 2026 Census will offer a snapshot of who we are and tell the story of how Australia is changing. It is the ABS’ largest, and one of the most important, statistical collections. 

The 2026 Census will take a privacy by design approach, meaning the ABS is building good privacy practices into the design specifications when setting up new systems and processes. A critical part of privacy by design is understanding and minimising privacy impacts or risks for people.