ABS Statement on sex and gender questions and the 2021 Census
The questions and information to be collected in the 2021 Census were announced in November 2020.
The 2021 Census will collect information on sex but will not collect information on gender.
The sex question is one of the most important in the Census, along with age and location, it directly feeds into the official estimates of Australia’s population.
People who wish to report their sex as other than male or female will have the option of a ‘non-binary sex’ response category.
The ABS defines a person’s sex as being based on their sex characteristics, such as their chromosomes, hormones and reproductive organs.
Gender is about social and cultural differences in identity, expression and experience as a man, woman or non-binary person. A person’s gender may differ from their sex and may also differ from what is indicated on their legal documents.