2026 Census topics and data release plan

Presents the final topics included in the 2026 Census and the plans of how and when this information will be released.

Released

25/11/2025

Release date and time

25/11/2025 11:30am AEDT

Introduction

The 2026 Census of Population and Housing will be held on 11 August 2026 and will provide an opportunity for Australians to tell us about themselves and help make a difference for their community. The Census is the largest statistical collection undertaken by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), providing rich and valuable insights into the lives of Australians.

Census data supports decision-making across government, business, and community sectors. It informs the allocation of billions of dollars in Commonwealth funding, guides infrastructure planning, and helps determine electoral boundaries. From schools and hospitals to roads and aged care facilities, Census data underpins the services Australians rely on every day.

The Census collects information on demographic characteristics such as age and sex, types of housing, and on other topics such as education, participation in the labour force, occupations and industries, marital status, and family size. The range of topics enables analysis across multiple dimensions, offering a unique and comprehensive view of Australian society. While some of the topics are covered by other data sources, only the Census provides consistent, standardised data for the whole country, including small geographic areas and population groups.

The 2026 Census will continue to provide great value to the Australian community, enhanced by updates to several questions, the addition of one new topic, and improved data products for users.

Following a comprehensive review, the Census will now include new questions on sexual orientation and gender for individuals aged 16 years and over. These additions will provide valuable data to complement existing Census information and support more inclusive policy development and service delivery for Australians.

The Census topics section of this publication outlines the topic review process and lists all the topics that will be included in the 2026 Census.

Data from the 2026 Census will be released in three phases starting from June 2027, with each phase adding greater depth. The data release section of this publication outlines our early plans, with more information to be provided in mid-2026.

The 2026 Census will introduce updates to data products, including enhancements to QuickStats and TableBuilder to better support users’ evolving needs. While Community Profiles will be retired, the improvements to the existing products will ensure continued access to valuable data insights. Additionally, ABS Data Maps – a powerful new spatial tool built on the ArcGIS platform – will offer an enriched experience, replacing DataPacks and GeoPackages with more user-friendly capabilities.

Data available from the 2026 Census will be largely consistent with that released in the 2021 Census. For details on the variables currently available from the 2021 Census, refer to the Census Dictionary or access data directly via Find Census data

2026 Census Topics

Topic review

In the lead up to the 2026 Census, the ABS undertook a comprehensive review to identify topics for inclusion. This ensures that the Census remains relevant and reflective of contemporary Australian society.

The 2026 Census topic review comprised four key stages: public consultation, engagement, assessment, and testing:

Public consultation:
In 2023, the ABS held two rounds of public consultation. The first round, beginning in February, invited submissions on what information Australians wanted collected in the Census. The second round, starting in July, sought feedback on the topics identified during the initial phase.
Engagement:
Throughout the review process, the ABS engaged directly with Census data users to clarify data needs and ensure topic recommendations were well-informed. This included consultation with ABS advisory groups, government departments, and organisations representing specific population groups affected by proposed topic changes.
Assessment:
All submissions were evaluated against detailed assessment criteria. As a result, five new topics and proposed changes to 12 existing topics progressed to the development and testing stage. Three topics were considered for removal.
Testing:
Shortlisted topics were tested with diverse population groups across Australia through focus groups, interviews, and short online surveys.

The topic review process culminated in a recommendation to the Australian Government regarding the topics to be included in the 2026 Census. An amendment to the Census Regulation was made in October 2024: Census and Statistics Regulation 2016 - Federal Register of Legislation

Further information on the topic review process is available at: Overview of the 2026 Census topic review

Topics

The 2026 Census will include new questions on gender and sexual orientation. These updates will provide valuable insights into the experiences of LGBTIQ+ Australians and support the development and delivery of targeted health and social programs and services.

Changes have also been made to existing questions to improve data quality and ensure inclusivity. These include:

allowing respondents to report up to four ancestries
enhancing the third response option on the sex recorded at birth question
updating the wording of the Country of birth of parents questions.

More information on these updates can be found under each topic group heading.

The question on number of children a woman has given birth to will return to a once-per-decade collection and will not be included in the 2026 Census.

The question images featured in this publication are taken from the 2026 Census online form. The name entered by the respondent will replace ‘Person 1’. To view the paper form, click here: 2026 Census sample paper forms

This publication does not include the versions of questions asked specifically within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities using the Interviewer Household Form.

Sexual orientation and gender (new topic)

During public consultations, stakeholders emphasised the importance of collecting data on gender and sexual orientation at detailed geographic levels and among smaller population groups.

Extensive testing of these questions was conducted across a wide range of population groups and regions throughout Australia. Findings revealed a broad conceptual understanding and general acceptance of the topic. Quantitative testing further confirmed that the questions are likely to produce reliable and accurate data.

For more information on the testing outcomes, refer to: Testing of questions on gender, sexual orientation and variations of sex characteristics

Gender

Gender is a social and cultural concept about the differences in identity, expression and experience as a man, woman, non-binary person, or another gender identity. It may differ from a person’s sex recorded at birth and can change over time.

The 2026 Census will ask questions on both sex recorded at birth and gender.

Sex is understood in relation to sex characteristics. "Sex recorded at birth" refers to what was initially determined based on physical characteristics observed at birth or infancy.
Gender encompasses social and cultural identity, expression, and lived experience.

The sex recorded at birth question is included in the Population section.

Responses to the sex recorded at birth and gender questions will be used to generate data on trans and gender diverse populations.

The gender question includes tick-box response options and a free-text field, allowing respondents to specify a gender identity not listed among the predefined options. A ‘prefer not to answer’ option is also available for those who choose not to respond.

The gender question is asked of all respondents aged 16 years and over.

Image

Description

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.

More Information 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 (free text field)
Prefer not to answer

Sexual orientation

The sexual orientation question asks about sexual identity and attraction—how an individual thinks of their own sexuality, the term they identify with, and their romantic or sexual attraction to others.

Response options include tick-box selections and a free-text field for specifying other terms. A ‘don’t know’ option is available for individuals uncertain about their sexual orientation or for those responding on behalf of someone else. A ‘prefer not to answer’ option is also included for those who choose not to answer the question.

The sexual orientation question is asked of all respondents aged 16 years and over.

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: How does Person 1 describe their sexual orientation?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Data from this question will help plan health and social programs and services.

More Information states: This question is only asked for people aged 16 years and older. To request an extra form for a person to complete their Census separately from other household members, call us on 1800 181 227

The response options are:

Straight
Gay or Lesbian
Bisexual
Person 1 uses another term - specify (free text field)
Don't know
Prefer not to answer

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Topic outcomes
Topics	2026 Census outcomes
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status	Retain existing topic without change

Cultural diversity

Census questions on citizenship, country of birth, ancestry, and language provide valuable insights into the nature of our society and support policy development and service delivery. Together, these topics tell stories of the cultural diversity of the people who call Australia home, both those arrived from overseas and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The information helps deliver services that meet the needs of a diverse population. For example:

plan for English language programs and translation/interpreter services through knowing which languages are spoken and how well they are spoken
understand the need for and location of religious based schools, hospitals, community services and homes for the elderly.

Topic outcomes
Topics	2026 Census outcomes
Ancestry	Retain existing topic with changes to response categories and instructional text. Question structure changed to increase the number of ancestries that can be reported,
Australian citizenship	Retain existing topic without change
Country of birth	Retain existing topic with changes to response categories and (minor) instructional text
Country of birth of parents	Retain existing topic with changes to question wording, response categories and instructional text
Main language other than English used at home	Retain existing topic with changes to response categories and instructional text
Proficiency in spoken English	Retain existing topic without change
Religious affiliation	Retain existing topic with changes to response categories and instructional text
Year of arrival in Australia	Retain existing topic without change

Ancestry

The collection of ancestry data supports understanding of Australia’s ethnic and cultural diversity. This information is used to identify ethnic and cultural groups that cannot be identified using country of birth or language variables alone, allowing for effective multicultural policy provision, and tailored services.

There is strong demand for this data across all levels of government and among community organisations.

Updates have been made to response categories and instructional text. Individuals can now report up to four ancestries - an increase from two in the 2021 Census. The picklist options have been revised to reflect the most commonly reported ancestries from the 2021 Census, improving relevance and ease of reporting.

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What is Person 1’s ancestry?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Provide up to four ancestries only. Examples of ‘Other ancestry’: Croatian, Serbian, Hmong, Filipino, Sinhalese, Tamil, Māori, Pitcairn, Australian South Sea Islander.

More Information states: If more than four ancestries apply, provide the four ancestries the person most closely identifies with. If you are unclear about what ancestry you should include, consider the ethnic or cultural origins of the person's parents and/or grandparents as a guide. If the person is a Pacific Islander, report their ancestry as accurately as possible, for example, Samoan, Tongan or Cook Islander. If the person is a descendant of South Sea Islanders brought to Australia as labourers at the turn of the twentieth century, please answer ‘Australian South Sea Islander’. For ancestries not listed, please select the 'Other ancestry 1 (specify)' option and enter the name of the ancestry in the box and, if needed, 'Other ancestry 2 (specify)', 'Other ancestry 3 (specify)', and 'Other ancestry 4 (specify)'.

The response options are:

English
Irish
Scottish
Chinese
Italian
German
Aboriginal
Torres Strait Islander
Australian
Other ancestry 1 - specify (free text field)
Other ancestry 2 - specify (free text field)
Other ancestry 3 - specify (free text field)
Other ancestry 4 - specify (free text field)

Country of birth

Data on a person’s country of birth is important for understanding population diversity, tracking demographic shifts, and identifying emerging communities. It plays a key role in informing equitable policy development and the delivery of tailored services. There is strong demand for this data from all levels of government and community organisations.

A minor update has been made to the response options in the picklist, aligning them with the most commonly reported countries in the 2021 Census.

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: In which country was Person 1 born?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: The countries listed were the most commonly reported countries of birth in the 2021 Census. For all other countries of birth, please select the 'Other (specify)' option and enter the name of the country in the box.

The response options are:

Australia
England
India
New Zealand
Philippines
Vietnam
South Africa
Other - specify (free text field)

Country of birth of parents

Data on the country of birth of a person’s parents is used to better understand the diversity and outcomes of second-generation migrants. Updates to question wording and instructional text now reflect inclusive language that acknowledges diverse family structures, aligning with the changing nature of Australian society.

The picklist on the online form has been updated to include the most commonly reported countries of birth in the 2021 Census.

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: In which country was Person 1’s mother or parent 1 born?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Provide the country of birth for one of Person 1’s parents, this could be a parent of any gender. This could be a step-parent or adoptive parent. If unable to answer this question, leave blank.

The response options are:

Australia
England
India
New Zealand
Philippines
Vietnam
South Africa
Other - specify (free text field)

Image

Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: In which country was Person 1’s father or parent 2 born?

The response options are:

Australia
England
India
New Zealand
Philippines
Vietnam
South Africa
Other - specify (free text field)

Main language other than English used at home

Data on the main language used at home reflects the cultural background of Australians and is important for a wide range of policies, delivery of services and engagement with communities. This includes access and equity policy and informing multilingual resources in sectors such as health and education. This information is also crucial to ensure emergency communications reach non-English speakers.

Minor changes have been made to the instructional text for this question. Additionally, picklist response options have been updated to reflect the most reported languages in the 2021 Census.

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: Does Person 1 use a language other than English at home?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: If more than one language other than English, select the one that is used most often. Include use of sign languages in the 'Yes, other language (specify)' box. For example: Auslan. Include use of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages in the 'Yes, other language (specify)' box.

More Information states: If the person uses only English at home, select ‘No, English only’, even if they can speak another language. If the person lives alone, answer with the language they most commonly use with visitors in their home. The languages listed were the most commonly reported languages spoken at home, other than English in the 2021 Census. For a language not listed, please select the 'Yes, other language (specify)' option and enter the name of the language in the box.

For people who cannot speak, or if the person is too young to speak, record 'Not able to speak' in the 'Yes, other language (specify)' box for this question.

The response options are:

No, English only
Yes, Mandarin
Yes, Arabic
Yes, Vietnamese
Yes, Cantonese
Yes, Punjabi
Yes, Greek
Yes, other language - specify (free text field)

Religious affiliation

The Census collects information on a person’s religious affiliation rather than participation in religious services or activities. This data is used by various sectors of Australian society to understand the religious composition of the Australian population. It can be used with a range of other variables to reflect cultural diversity.

Minor updates have been made to instructional text, including a review of the examples of other religions given. The order of the response options has been updated to reflect the most commonly reported religions in the 2021 Census.

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What is Person 1’s religion?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Answering this question is optional. Use 'Other (specify)' to provide a religion or a level of detail not included in the list. For example: Macedonian Orthodox, Lutheran, Salvation Army, Judaism, Sikhism, Taoism.

More information states: The religious groups listed in the response options were those most commonly reported in the 2021 Census. If the person wants to provide more detail on their Catholic religion, provide the full name of the religion in the 'Other (specify)' box. For example, Chaldean Catholic, Maronite Catholic, Melkite Catholic, Syriac Catholic, Syro Malabar Catholic, Ukrainian Catholic, or Western Catholic. If the person wants to provide an Orthodox religion such as Antiochian Orthodox, Romanian Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox, Ukrainian Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Coptic Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox or Syrian Orthodox, provide the full name of the religion in the 'Other (specify)' box.

People who have non-theistic religious beliefs or other life philosophies can provide their response in the 'Other (specify)' box. If the person identifies with no religion at all, select 'No religion'. Examples of non-religious beliefs include Agnosticism, Atheism, Humanism and Rationalism.

The response options are:

No religion
Catholic
Anglican (Church of England)
Islam
Hinduism
Uniting Church
Buddhism
Presbyterian
Greek Orthodox
Baptist
Other - specify (free text field)

Disability and carers

Census topics on a person's need for assistance, and the care provided to individuals with a disability, long-term health condition, or due to old age, offer valuable insights into the needs of some of Australia’s most vulnerable populations.

This information is used to:

support governments and service providers in planning appropriate local facilities, services and support such as in-home care, respite services, and assistance for carers
provide a clearer understanding of the level of support required and the contributions made by informal or unpaid carers.

Topic outcomes
Topics	2026 Census outcomes
Core activity need for assistance	Retain existing topic without change
Unpaid care, help or assistance of another person due to disability, long-term illness or old age	Retain existing topic with minor instructional text changes

Unpaid care, help or assistance of another person due to disability, long-term illness or old age

Understanding the role of informal carers is essential for government planning across aged care, disability services, social support, and policy development. This information helps identify the demand for services, the support needs of carers, and how individuals balance work with family responsibilities. A minor update has been made to the instructional text, and the examples of caring activities have been expanded in the more information text on the online form.

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: In the last two weeks did Person 1 spend time providing unpaid care, help or assistance to family members or others because of a disability, a long-term health condition or problems related to old age?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: People who receive Carer Allowance or Carer Payment should select 'Yes, provided unpaid care, help or assistance'. Occasional help or assistance, such as shopping, should only be included if the person needs this type of assistance because of their condition. Do not include work done through a voluntary organisation or group.

The More Information text is split into sections. The first section states: A long-term health condition is one that has lasted, or is likely to last for six months or more.

The next section is a list: Unpaid care can include: bathing, dressing, toileting or feeding someone; helping someone to move around; helping someone to understand or be understood by others; helping someone with reading and writing tasks; providing emotional support to someone and helping them maintain friendships and social activities; helping with or supervising medication or dressing wounds; cleaning, laundry, cooking, managing diets and preparing meals; performing household chores, gardening, light property repairs or maintenance; managing household finances; driving or accompanying someone to appointments or activities.

The response options are:

No, did not provide unpaid care, help or assistance
Yes, provided unpaid care, help or assistance

Education and training

Education and training questions ask about whether people are currently studying, the kinds of institutions they are studying at, and the qualifications people have already completed. Information on education and training is used at federal, state/territory and community levels to:

guide the distribution of education services, including the establishment of new schools across Australia
assess employment outcomes based on an individual's level of education and field of study
understand how various population groups engage with education and the socioeconomic characteristics of households with members enrolled in educational institutions.

Topic outcomes
Topics	2026 Census outcomes
Attendance at an educational institution	Retain existing topic without change
Highest non-school qualifications	Retain existing topic with removal of one question
Highest year of schooling	Retain existing topic without change

Highest non-school qualifications

As part of this topic, the Census includes a question about whether a qualification was completed before 1998. This helps determine the level of qualification for those completed prior to the introduction of the Australian Qualifications Framework in 1998. For the 2026 Census, this question has been removed from the paper form but will continue to be asked on the online form for respondents who were aged 15 years or older in 1998.

The questions on non-school qualifications are asked of all respondents aged 15 years and over.

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What is the highest year of primary or secondary school Person 1 has completed?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: For people currently at school, select the highest year of schooling they have completed, not the year they are currently undertaking.

More information states: Select ‘Year 12 or equivalent’ if the person has completed: Year 13; 6th form; Matriculation; Highest year of school available. If the highest year of schooling the person has completed was in primary school, select ‘Year 8 or below’. For persons who left school and then returned after a break, select the highest year of schooling they have completed irrespective of when it was completed. Include school level education undertaken at other institutions (e.g. at a TAFE).

The response options are:

Year 12 or equivalent
Year 11 or equivalent
Year 10 or equivalent
Year 9 or equivalent
Year 8 or below
Did not go to school

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: Has Person 1 completed any educational qualification?

More information states: If the person completed any vocational qualifications as part of their secondary schooling, select ‘Yes, other qualification’. If the person has completed any other qualifications, select the appropriate ‘Yes’ response. Non-school or higher education qualifications include Certificates I-IV; Trade Certificates; Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas; Bachelor Degrees; Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas; and higher degrees such as a Masters or Doctorate.

The response options are:

No
No, still studying for first qualification
Yes, trade certificate/apprenticeship
Yes, other qualification (certificate, diploma or degree)

Image

Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What is the level of the highest qualification Person 1 has completed?

Underneath the text, the instructional text states: For example: Trade Certificate, Bachelor Degree, Associate Diploma, Certificate II, Advanced Diploma.

More information states: If the person has two or more qualifications, only state the highest qualification obtained. For example, if the person has a Graduate Diploma of Education and a Bachelor Degree in Economics, the Graduate Diploma should be reported as the higher qualification.

Qualification levels listed from highest to lowest: Doctorate; Master Degree; Graduate Diploma; Graduate Certificate; Bachelor Degree with Honours; Bachelor Degree; Associate Degree; Advanced Diploma; Diploma; Associate Diploma; Advanced Certificate; Certificate IV (or Post-trade); Certificate III (or Trade); Certificate II; Certificate I.

The response option is:

Level of qualification, followed by a free text field.

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What is the main field of study for Person 1’s highest qualification completed?

Underneath the question text, the instruction text states: For example: Plumbing, Primary school teaching, Accounting, Hairdressing, Psychology, Hospitality.

More information states: The main field of study is in relation to the highest qualification entered in the previous question. If the person has two or more qualifications and they are at the same level, provide the field of the one obtained most recently. If the person has two qualifications of the same level, completed at the same time (for example, double degrees), select the qualification considered the most important to them.

The response option is:

Field of study, followed by a free text field.

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: Did Person 1 complete this qualification before 1998?

The response options are:

Yes, before 1998
No, 1998 or later

Health

Topic outcomes
Topics	2026 Census outcomes
Long-term health conditions	Retain existing topic with changes to response categories and instructional text

Household and families

Understanding the relationships between people within a household provides valuable insights into the composition of Australian families. This data informs planning for infrastructure and services such as schools, hospitals, and social support systems, and contributes to assessing housing adequacy and availability.

By capturing household and family relationships, along with marital status, the Census helps identify the presence and structure of family units – such as couple families with dependent children, single-parent families, or households with multiple families. It also identifies group households, where unrelated individuals live together. These distinctions offer a deeper understanding of the diverse living arrangements across Australia and support the development of services tailored to extended families and shared housing environments.

Topic outcomes
Topics	2026 Census outcomes
Household and family relationships	Retain existing topic with changes to response categories and instructional text
Marital status	Retain existing topic without change
Persons temporarily absent on Census night	Retain existing topic with changes to question wording, response categories and instructional text

Household and family relationships

Census questions about relationships within households are essential for identifying household and family structures across Australia.

The question has been updated so that the language is more inclusive of contemporary family structures.

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What is Person 2's relationship to Person 1?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Examples of other relationships: Son-in-law, Grandchild, Aunt, Boarder.

More information states: If more than one response applies, select only the option that shows the relationship that most closely applies.

The response options are:

Husband or wife or spouse of Person 1
De facto partner of Person 1
Child of Person 1
Stepchild of Person 1
Parent of Person 1
Brother or sister or sibling of Peron 1
Unrelated flatmate or co-tenant of Person 1
Other relationship to Person 1 - specify (free text field)

Persons temporarily absent on Census night

Not everyone who usually lives in a household will be there on Census night. To ensure the most accurate family and household data possible, the Census includes questions about people who are temporarily away.

Updates have been made to the questions for people temporarily absent on Census night to better align with the corresponding questions in the main Census form.

Housing

Housing information collected in the Census provides insight into the number and types of homes within Australia. This also provides information into home ownership and rental rates, and the cost of mortgage or rental payments.

This information can be used to:

monitor housing affordability and stability
inform affordable housing policies and planning for community housing
estimate the number of people experiencing homelessness
provide indications into overcrowding in Australia

Topic outcomes
Topics	2026 Census outcomes
Housing costs	Retain existing topic without change
Landlord type for rented dwellings	Retain existing topic with minor changes to instructional text
Number of bedrooms	Retain existing topic with minor changes to more information (online only)
Other non-private dwelling information (including the topics of Address, Name, Type, Number of persons resident and Residential status)	Retain existing topic with minor changes to instructional text
Other private dwelling information (including the topics of Location, Structure and Residential status)	Retain existing topic without change
Type of tenure	Retain existing topic with minor changes to instructional text

Landlord type for rented dwellings

Information collected from this question is important for the development of housing policies and to understand the socioeconomic characteristics of different tenants. The instructional text of this question was updated to reflect changes to government department names.

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: Who is 11 Fake Street rented from?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: For all state/territory specific government housing authorities, select 'Government Housing Authority/Housing Department (Public Housing)'. Some examples of government housing authorities are: DCJ Housing (NSW), HousingVic, Department of Housing and Public Works (Qld), Department of Communities (WA), SA Housing Trust, Homes Tasmania, Department of Housing, Local Government and Community Development (NT), Housing ACT, Aboriginal housing authorities.

Community housing providers are not-for-profit organisations that provide affordable rental housing to people on lower incomes. This includes housing co-operatives.

The response options are:

Real estate agent
Government Housing Authority/Housing Department (Public Housing)
Community housing provider
Parent or other relative not in this dwelling
Other person not in this dwelling
Manager of a residential park (including caravan parks and manufactured home estates)
Employer – government (including Defence Housing Australia)
Employer – private

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: How many bedrooms are there at 11 Fake Street?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: If the dwelling is a bedsitter or studio, enter ‘0’.

More information states: Include any room that is defined as a bedroom, even if it is used for a different purpose, for example, as a study, office, computer room or sewing room. Include any bedrooms created as a result of alterations and additions to the dwelling (such as built-in verandas, extensions, or sunrooms).

The response options are:

Number of bedrooms, followed by a numeric free text field.

Other non-private dwelling information (including the topics of address, name, type, number of persons resident and residential status)

Residential status in a non-private dwelling is only asked of people who were in a non-private dwelling on Census night and completed the Personal Form. A minor update has been made to the instructional text to reflect the updated name for aged care facilities.

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: Is the dwelling at 11 Fake Street Melbourne Vic. 3000 a private home?

More information states: A private home is a self-contained dwelling intended for long-term residential use. Examples include houses, flats, semi-detached terrace houses, townhouses, apartments, and self-contained retirement villages units. It can also include caravans, houseboats, tents, or a home attached to an office or shop, if these are self-contained and are used for long-term residential use.

Dwellings which are not private include those which provide a communal or temporary type of accommodation or care, such as hotels, hostels and aged care homes, religious and charitable institutions, boarding schools, defence establishments, hospitals, and other communal dwellings.

The response options are:

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What is Person 1’s residential status in this dwelling?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: For a person staying in accommodation such as a hotel, hostel, boarding house, hospital, aged care home, or staff or student quarters on the night of Tuesday 11 August 2026, select one of the following:

More information states: This question is asked of people who spent Census night in a non-private dwelling (e.g. at hotels, hostels and aged care homes, religious and charitable institutions, boarding schools, defence establishments, hospitals, and other communal dwellings). Where a non-private dwelling is for staff accommodation, only those people operating the staff accommodation should report as an owner, proprietor, staff, or family. Those people who are not operating the accommodation (e.g. nurses, miners) should select ‘Resident’. Please select the option that most closely applies to the person.

The response options are:

Guest
Patient
Inmate
Resident
Owner, proprietor or manager
Staff (e.g. porter, cook, teacher, warden)
Family of owner, proprietor, manager, or staff
Other

Type of tenure

Information from this question allows for Government and organisations to measure rates of home ownership and renting. This data assists in monitoring housing security and informing housing and welfare policies. Updates were made to the instructional text to reflect changes to shared equity schemes.

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: Is the dwelling at 11 Fake Street:

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Include owners of caravans, manufactured homes or houseboats in ‘Owned with a mortgage’ or ‘Owned outright’ regardless of whether or not the site is owned. A shared equity scheme is a government or not-for-profit scheme - assisting people on lower incomes to buy a home by sharing around 30-40% of the ownership. Life tenure schemes are a common arrangement in retirement villages. Include leaseholds, and loan and license agreements in ‘Occupied under a life tenure scheme’.

The response options are:

Owned outright
Owned with a mortgage
Purchased under a shared equity scheme
Rented
Occupied rent free
Occupied under a life tenure scheme
Other

Income, work and service in the Australian Defence Force

Collecting information on income and work is essential for understanding the economic well-being and employment conditions of the population. This information is used to inform equitable economic policy, including affordable housing initiatives, and welfare and support programmes such as pensions, government benefits, and minimum wage standards. The information also allows labour force trends to be monitored and to identify areas for economic investment and development.

Service in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) was a new topic for the 2021 Census and will be asked again in the 2026 Census. Information from this question is used to understand outcomes of former service members, especially those who do not engage with the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA). Analysis of Census data helps inform and monitor the impact of the Government’s reforms and investment in the health and well-being of the veteran population.

Questions on income, work, and service in the ADF are asked of all respondents aged 15 years and over.

Topic outcomes
Topics	2026 Census outcomes
Hours worked	Retain existing topic without change
Income	Retain existing topic with changes to response categories
Industry of employment	Retain existing topic with (minor changes) to question wording and instructional text
Labour force status	Retain existing topic with changes to response options and instructional text of some questions
Main tasks in occupation	Retain existing topic without change
Number of employees (employed by owner managers)	Retain existing topic with (minor) changes to More information text
Occupation	Retain existing topic without change
Service in the Australian Defence Force	Retain existing topic without change
Status in employment	Retain existing topic with (minor) changes to instructional text

Income

This question collects information about a person’s total income, which is used to understand living standards across different regions of Australia. Income can be used alongside other Census variables as an indicator of economic well-being. This information can be used by governments and community organisations to identify areas where programs and support are needed most.

The picklist response categories have been updated to reflect changes in income patterns, adjustments to government payment amounts, and to improve ease of data collection. These updates are made every Census.

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What is the total of all income Person 1 usually receives?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Do not deduct: tax, superannuation contributions, amounts salary sacrificed, or any other automatic deductions.

Include:

Wages and salaries:
- Regular overtime
- Commissions and bonuses
Government pensions, benefits and allowances
Profit or loss from:
- Unincorporated business/farm (e.g. sole traders, partnerships)
- Rental properties
Other income from:
- Superannuation
- Child support
- Dividends from shares
- Interest
- Workers’ compensation
- Any other income sources

More information is split into sections.

The first section states: Information from this question provides an indication of living standards in different areas. Count total income from all sources, not just a regular wage or salary. Total income is the person’s personal income before any tax, superannuation contributions, amounts salary sacrificed, or other automatic payments are deducted.

The next section is a list titled: Government pensions, benefits and allowances include:

Age pension
Family Tax Benefit
Parenting Payment
Disability Support Pension
JobSeeker Payment
Youth and student allowances
Carer Allowance
Any other government pension, benefit, or allowance

Note: remember to include the total value of any pensions, benefits, and other government allowances that the person is currently receiving.

The next section is titled: Business owners and self-employed people

Business owners and self-employed people should include the total profit or loss from the operations of their business, or their share of the business in a partnership. The profit or loss of a business is calculated as its gross receipts less its operation expenses (such as rent, materials and fuel costs). If the person has other sources of income, such as wages or government allowances, these should be added to their business income to calculate their total income from all sources.

The next section is titled: Other income

For interest and dividends, calculate the amount the person expects to receive in a full year and add this to their total yearly income from other sources; divide by 26 to work out a fortnightly amount; or divide by 52 to work out a weekly amount. For other regular income, such as superannuation or child support, include the amount the person currently receives for one week or fortnight, or calculate the amount they expect to receive in a full year and add this to their total yearly income from other sources. Include Private Pensions and Workers Compensation under Other income.

The next section is titled: Negative income

Negative income occurs when the operating expenses are higher than the gross receipts (or revenue) of a self-employed person, business, or a rental property. A person has negative income if these losses are greater than any income, benefits or allowances received from other sources.

The response options are:

$3,500 or more per week ($182,000 or more per year)
$3,000–$3,499 per week ($156,000–$181,999 per year)
$2,500–$2,999 per week ($130,000–$155,999 per year)
$2,000–$2,499 per week ($104,000–$129,999 per year)
$1,500–$1,999 per week ($78,000–$103,999 per year)
$1,250–$1,499 per week ($65,000–$77,999 per year)
$1,000–$1,249 per week ($52,000–$64,999 per year)
$800–$999 per week ($41,600–$51,999 per year)
$650–$799 per week ($33,800–$41,599 per year)
$500–$649 per week ($26,000–$33,799 per year)
$400–$499 per week ($20,800–$25,999 per year)
$300–$399 per week ($15,600–$20,799 per year)
$150–$299 per week ($7,800–$15,599 per year)
$1–$149 per week ($1–$7,799 per year)
$0 or nil income
Negative income

Industry of employment

Industry of employment information collected on the Census helps governments monitor economic trends and shifts, and plan for infrastructure, investment, and development. Minor changes to simplify question wording and instructional text have been made.

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This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What best describes the industry or business of the employer where Person 1 works?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Examples for industry or business of the employer: Secondary school education, Gold mining, IT consulting service, Domestic cleaning services, Apartment construction.

More information states: Describe the industry or business of the person’s employer, not of their occupation. For example, if they are an accountant working for a motor vehicle manufacturer, please enter the industry as ‘motor vehicle manufacturing’. State the industry as completely as possible. For people operating their own business (e.g. self-employed), please describe the industry of their business.

The response option is:

Industry or business, followed by a free text field.

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What are the main goods produced or main services provided by the employer’s business?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Describe as fully as possible, using two words or more. For example: Providing education to secondary school students, Mining gold ore, Providing information technology advice, House cleaning, Construction of residential buildings.

More information states: For people operating their own business (e.g. self-employed), please describe the main goods and services provided by their business.

The response option is:

Good produced/service provided, followed by a free text field.

Labour force status

Labour force data is a key input for informing economic and employment policies, programs, and services.

The Census includes several questions to determine a person’s labour force status – whether they had a job, were actively looking for work, and, if they found a job, whether they were available to start. Responses to these questions are used to classify individuals as employed, unemployed or not in the labour force.

Job status

The job status question provides information on whether a person had a paid job in the week prior to Census night. A response category has been updated to align with the Labour Force Survey. Minor changes have also been made to instructional text, including implementation of contemporary terminology such as updating ‘maternity leave’ to ‘parental leave’.

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: Last week, did Person 1 have a job of any kind?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: A ‘job’ means any type of work including casual, temporary, part-time, or full-time work, if it was for one hour or more.

More information states: Last week refers to the week before Census night – Tuesday 11 August 2026.

People who did some work for which they will receive some payment (including casual, temporary, or part-time work) and it was for one hour or more in the last week select the ‘Yes, worked for payment or profit’ response.

People on paid leave, for example holiday leave, employer provided parental leave or sick leave, should select ‘Yes, but absent on holidays, on leave, no rostered shifts, or any other reason’.

People who have been on unpaid leave...

For less than four weeks and are not being paid, select ‘Yes, but absent on holidays, on leave, no rostered shifts, or any other reason’.
For four weeks or more and are not being paid, select ‘No, did not have a job.’

People who are on workers’ compensation and...

Are planning to return to work, select ‘Yes, but absent on holidays, on leave, no rostered shifts, or any other reason’.
Won’t be returning to work, select ‘No, did not have a job’.

People who are only working for the dole should select ‘No, did not have a job.

People who are casual or freelance works and...

Worked in the week before Census night, select ‘Yes, worked for payment or profit’.
Did not work last week but worked at some stage in the four weeks before Census night, select ‘Yes, but absent on holidays, on leave, no rostered shifts, or any other reason’.

Retired people should select ‘No, did not have a job’. This also applies to people who have never had a job.

The response options are:

Yes, worked for payment or profit
Yes, but absent on holidays, on leave, no rostered shifts, or any other reason
Yes, unpaid work in a family business
Yes, other unpaid work
No, did not have a job

Actively looking for work

The actively looking for work question provides information on job seeking, which is used to code respondents as ‘unemployed’ or ‘not in the labour force’. A new response option has been included in 2026 to support people looking for both part-time and full-time work. Instructional text has also been updated, refining guidance around what to include as job seeking activities. These changes align more closely with the Labour Force Survey.

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This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: Did Person 1 actively look for work at any time in the last four weeks?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Full-time work means 35 hours or more per week. Examples of actively looking for work include:

Contacting employers directly
Contacting employers through an employment agency
Answering an advertisement for a job
Having a job interview
Taking steps to purchase or start a business
Advertising or tendering for work

More information states: All people who are not looking for work, including retired people, should select ‘No, did not look for work’. Select ‘No, did not look for work’ if the person only looked in newspapers, on the internet or checked notice boards.

The response options are:

No, did not look for work
Yes, looked for both full-time and part-time work
Yes, looked for full-time work
Yes, looked for part-time work

Number of employees

Number of employees is used to understand the nature and scale of self-employment and small business activity across the country. This information is important for workforce planning and development, particularly in regional and small population areas. A minor change to more information text on the online form has been made, providing more concise language describing who to include as an employee and improving alignment with the Labour Force Survey.

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This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: Does Person1’s business employ people?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Exclude owner/s of the business.

More information states: Select the number of people employed in the person’s business (excluding the owner/s of the business). Exclude contractors and sub-contractors.

The response options are:

No, no employees (other than owner/s)
Yes, 1 – 19 employees
Yes, 20 or more employees

Status in employment

Status in employment describes the nature of a person’s employment – whether they work as an employee or are self-employed. Governments use this information to inform economic policy and related programs and services. A minor change to instructional text has been made aiming to provide clarity for independent contractors reporting who they work for.

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This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: In the main job held last week, was Person 1:

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: If Person 1 had more than one job last week, then ‘main job’ refers to the job in which Person 1 usually works the most hours. For all persons conducting their own business, including those with their own incorporated (e.g. Pty Ltd) company, as well as sole traders, partnerships and independent contractors, select ‘Working in own business’.

The response options are:

Working for an employer
Working in own business

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: Was Person 1’s business:

Underneath the question text, the instruction text states: Incorporated means a limited liability company.

More information states: If the person’s business is unincorporated, for example, if they are a sole trader or in a partnership, select ‘Unincorporated’. If the person’s business is incorporated as a separate legal entity with limited liability (e.g. Pty Ltd company), select ‘Incorporated (e.g. Pty Ltd)’.

The response options are:

Unincorporated
Incorporated (e.g. Pty Ltd)

Other income, work, and service in the ADF topics

Questions on hours worked, availability to start work, occupation, main tasks in occupation, and service in the Australian defence force remain unchanged for the 2026 Census.

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: Last week, how many hours did Person 1 work in all jobs?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Add any overtime or extra time worked and subtract any time off.

More information states: Include all hours the person worked for all jobs, even if those hours are not the hours they usually work. Include any overtime and hours spent working at home. Do not include time off work, for example, sick leave or annual leave. If the person did not work any hours, please enter ‘0’.

The response option is:

Hours worked, followed by a free text numeric field

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: If Person 1 had found a job, could they have started work last week?

The response options are:

Yes, could have started work last week
No, already had a job to go to
No, temporarily ill or injured
No, other reason

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: In the main job held last week, what was Person 1’s occupation?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Give full title. State Person 1’s occupation as completely as possible. Answer only for Person 1’s main job. For example: Registered aged care nurse, House cleaner, Retail sales assistant, Ore crushing machine operator. For public servants, provide occupation title and level. For example: Customer service officer APS 5. For armed services personnel, provide rank and occupation.

The response option is:

Occupation, followed by a free text field

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This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What are the main tasks that Person 1 usually performs in that occupation?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Give full details. Report the main tasks Person 1 usually does each day. For example, shop owners may not sell goods themselves, but manage their business and supervise staff.

For example: Nursing the aged, Cleaning houses, Selling clothes in a department store, Operating an ore crusher in a processing facility.

For managers, provide the function managed. For example: Managing construction projects, Managing a hotel, Managing human resources.

The response option is:

Tasks or duties, followed by a free text field

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. The question asks: Has Person 1 ever served in the Australian Defence Force?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Include Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force, Second Australian Imperial Force, National Service and NORFORCE. Exclude service for non-Australian defence forces. Select all that apply.

More information states: Information collected on current and previous service with the Australian Defence Force enables better delivery of services and support for this population group. Exclude service that is solely in one of the Cadet arms. NORFORCE refers to the North-West Mobile Force.

The response options are split into categories.

The first response option is:

Under the category of ‘Regular service’ the response options are:

Yes - current service
Yes - previous service

Under the category of ‘Reserves service’, the response options are:

Yes - current service
Yes - previous service

Location

The Census provides detailed information about small geographic areas and population groups across Australia. This data is used to:

count the number of people living in specific locations
track population movements between Censuses, helping governments, businesses, and communities plan for future growth
support emergency response planning and guide infrastructure improvements.

Topic outcomes
Topics	2026 Census outcomes
Address on Census night	Retain existing topic without change
Internal migration (address one year ago)	Retain existing topic without change
Internal migration (address five years ago)	Retain existing topic without change
Usual address	Retain existing topic with minor changes to instructional text and more information (online only)

Usual residence at Census time

Where an individual does not have a current usual address, they are instructed to write ‘none’ rather than an address. Instructions have been added on how to provide this response on the online form. This information helps estimate the number of people ’couch surfing’ or temporarily staying in another household.

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This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: Where does Person 1 usually live?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: For people who usually live in another country and who are visiting Australia for less than one year, select 'Other country'. For other people, 'usually live' means the address at which the person has lived, or intends to live, for a total of six months or more in 2026. For people who have no fixed or return address (for example, due to family conflict or eviction), select 'Elsewhere in Australia', then choose 'Enter address manually' and enter 'None' in the 'Suburb/Locality' box. For boarders at boarding school, provide the address of the boarding school or college.

More Information states: If the person is entering an address manually for 'Elsewhere in Australia' and they usually live in Norfolk Island or other external territories, such as Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Jervis Bay, please select 'Other external territory' in the State/Territory box.

The response options are:

The same response as provided in Question 1 (Address on Census night)
Elsewhere in Australia (specify address)
Other country

Population

Collecting information on age and sex is fundamental to the ABS fulfilling its legislative obligation to estimate the size and demographic profile of the population across Australia.

Accurate data on age and sex supports critical decision-making by governments, businesses, and community organisations, enabling them to understand and respond to the needs of populations in specific geographic areas and for specific age groups.

In addition to these demographic details, the ABS requests names to help people answer the right question for each person in the household, and to facilitate accurate processing of Census forms.

Topic outcomes
Topics	2026 Census outcomes
Date of birth or age	Retain existing topic without change
Name	Retain existing topic without change
Sex recorded at birth	Retain existing topic with changes to question wording, instructional text and response categories

Sex recorded at birth

Sex recorded at birth is a vital statistical variable of both national and international significance. It underpins the production of population estimates, which serve as the foundation for a wide range of reporting, policy development, and analytical activities. Since the inaugural national Census in 1911, a question on sex has been included in every Australian Census. In 2026, the Census will collect data on both a person’s sex recorded at birth and their gender. For further information on the gender question, refer to the Sexual orientation and gender section.

The question in the 2026 Census will specifically ask about the person’s sex recorded at birth.

The 2026 Census paper form will offer three response options: Male, Female, and Another term. The online form will initially present two options: Male and Female. If a respondent wishes to provide a different response, they can select a link that reveals the third option: Another term.

The ABS will publish data on sex recorded at birth using the binary categories of male and female. Decisions regarding the release of data from the ‘Another term’ category will be made following a thorough assessment of data quality.

By collecting both sex recorded at birth and gender, the Census will enable the derivation of cisgender and transgender status.

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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 standard response options are:

Male
Female

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Description

This image shows the alternative sex 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: 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

Transport

Data about where people work, their transport to work, and the number of registered motor vehicles at their dwelling can be used to:

analyse commuting pattens and ensure services are available in areas people are likely to access them during the workday
inform planning for road and public transport infrastructure
analyse the distance that people travel to work

Topic outcomes
Topics	2026 Census outcomes
Mode of travel to work	Retain existing topic with minor changes to response categories
Name and address of workplace attended	Retain existing topic with changes to instructional text and more information (online only)
Number of motor vehicles	Retain existing topic without change

Mode of travel to work

Response categories for the mode of travel to work have been updated for the 2026 Census to include contemporary modes of travel. The response category ‘Bicycle’ was expanded to include e-bikes.

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This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: How did Person 1 get to work on Tuesday 11 August 2026?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: If Person 1 used more than one method of travel to work, select all methods used.

More Information states: Select all methods of travel used by the person to get to work on Tuesday 11 August 2026. For example, if the person drove a car to a train station and then took a train to work, select both 'Car – as a driver' and 'Train' boxes. If the person walked all the way to work, select 'Walked only'. Do not include methods of travel for the journey home.

The response options are:

Train
Bus
Ferry
Tram (including light rail)
Taxi or ride-share service
Car – as a driver
Car – as a passenger
Truck
Motorbike or motor scooter
Bicycle (including e-bike)
Walked only
Other
Worked at home
Did not go to work.

Name and address of workplace attended

Information about workplace addresses helps us to understand the journeys people make to travel to work. Updates have been made to the instructional text to reflect the changing nature of work and provides guidance for people who may work from home. Additional instructional text has also been provided for people who do not have a fixed place of work (for example a delivery driver or an in-home carer).

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This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: For the main job held last week, what was Person 1’s workplace address?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text is split into sections. The first section states: For people who work for an employer, but work from home some of the time, provide the employer's workplace address. For people who work from home only (that is, do not have another location to work from), provide the home address.

The next section is a list titled: For people with no fixed place of work (for example, a delivery driver or an in-home carer). If the person travels to visit clients, provide the address of the employer; if the person usually travels to a depot to start work, provide the depot address; otherwise enter 'None' in the 'Suburb/Locality' box.

More Information states: If the complete address is not known, please provide as much of the address as possible. Include the name of the building or property where the person works, if known. For Norfolk Island and other external territories, such as Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Jervis Bay, please select 'Other external territory' in the State/Territory box. This information is used to better understand where people travel for work to inform transport planning.

The response option is:

Street number, followed by a numeric free text field
Street name (examples: Graham Avenue, George Street), followed by a free text field
Suburb/Locality, followed by a free text field
State/Territory, followed by dropdown options
Postcode, followed by a numeric free text field
Property/Building name (if any), followed by a free text field

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Description

This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: For the main job held last week, what was the employer's business name?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: For people operating their own business (e.g. self-employed), provide the name of the Person's business. For teachers, provide the name of the school.

The response option is:

Business name, followed by a free text field

Unpaid work and care

Questions on unpaid work and care collect information about people’s responsibilities at home such as family and community commitments. This information provides insight into how individuals and families balance work, education, and unpaid work with other aspects of their lives.

The information is used to:

plan local facilities and services such as childcare and support for carers
measure how we contribute to society, such as an indication of social connection within communities.

The unpaid work and care questions are asked of all respondents aged 15 years and over.

Topic outcomes
Topics	2026 Census outcomes
Unpaid work - volunteering	Retain existing topic with response category and instructional text changes
Unpaid work - domestic activities	Retain existing topic with minor instructional text changes and more information changes (online only)
Unpaid care of children	Retain existing topic without change

Unpaid work - volunteering

Information from this question helps governments and organisations understand how unpaid work contributes to society, well-being, and the economy. A minor update has been made to the instructional text to reflect the updated terminology for aged care facilities.

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This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: In the last twelve months did Person 1 spend any time doing unpaid voluntary work for an organisation or group?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Include unpaid voluntary work for sporting teams, youth groups, charities, schools, or religious organisations. Exclude work in a family business or paid employment. Exclude work to qualify for a government benefit, to obtain an educational qualification or due to a community/court order.

The More Information text is split into sections. The first section states: Only include help willingly given, in the form of time, service or skills, to a club, organisation or association.

Unpaid voluntary work can include:

assisting at organised events and with sports organisations
helping with organised school events and activities
assisting in churches, hospitals, aged care homes and charities
school students participating in student government within their schools
other kinds of volunteer work (for example, emergency services, serving on a committee for a club or community group)

The response options are:

No, did not do unpaid voluntary work
Yes, did unpaid voluntary work

Unpaid work - domestic activities

Information from this question helps data users understand the time people spend on activities such as housework, home maintenance, and financial management. The instructional text has been updated to include additional relevant activities.

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This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: In the last week did Person 1 spend time doing unpaid domestic work for their household?

Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Include all housework, food/drink preparation and clean-up, laundry, gardening, home maintenance and repairs, household shopping, finance management, pet and animal care, and travel associated with unpaid domestic work.

The More Information text is split into sections.

The first section states: Include all domestic activities that the person did without pay, in their own home and in other places, for themselves and their household. Do not include any domestic activities that were done as part of any paid employment. Also exclude caring for children, elderly parents and people with a long-term illness or disability (other than cooking or cleaning for them), as these are addressed in the following questions.

Unpaid domestic work can include:

meal preparation, service and clean-up
washing, ironing and managing clothes
any other housework
gardening, mowing and yard work
home maintenance
car/bike maintenance
household shopping
managing household financial affairs
maintaining home internet connections and computer systems
pet and animal care
travel associated with unpaid domestic work

The response options are:

No, did not do any unpaid domestic work in the last week
Yes, less than 5 hours
Yes, 5-14 hours
Yes, 15-29 hours
Yes, 30 hours or more

2026 Census data release plans

To better meet the evolving needs of a diverse range of data users, the ABS has redesigned its Census data products for the 2026 Census. A user-centred design approach was central to this process, incorporating multiple rounds of consultation through surveys, interviews, and prototype testing. These activities helped shape a product suite that is more aligned with data user expectations and preferences.

Key drivers for the redesign include:

ensuring Census products continue to meet the needs of a broad spectrum of data users
evaluating the relevance and utility of existing outputs
embracing new technologies and methodologies to remain contemporary in a dynamic data landscape.

The 2026 Census will deliver a modern, sustainable suite of data products designed to support a wide variety of users and data requirements. Insights gathered through the user-centred design process have directly informed product development, resulting in a streamlined and relevant offering that reflects the priorities of the data community.

For more information on the consultation process and proposed updates to the 2026 Census data products, visit: Proposed 2026 Census data products

Key changes to Census data products

To meet the needs of most Census data users, the ABS has identified a set of core products for the 2026 Census. These products will be enhanced or newly developed to improve usability, accessibility, and relevance.

Enhanced QuickStats product – A streamlined summary data product providing key Census statistics for geographic areas, designed for quick reference and broad accessibility.
Enhanced Census TableBuilder – A powerful self-service tool that allows users to create customised tables using Census data, with improved functionality and user experience.
ABS Data Maps – A new spatial tool built on the ArcGIS platform, replacing DataPacks and GeoPackages.

Community Profiles will not be produced for 2026 Census data, with other products redesigned to meet the needs previously served by this product.

2026 Census product suite

The ABS is committed to keeping Census data accessible and free through the website.

The table below outlines the full range of products planned for the 2026 Census data release. It includes a summary of each product’s key functions, along with the proposed updates and enhancements in development.

Proposed product suite
Product	Function
QuickStats All persons Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Country of birth	Quick and easy access to summary Census data by geography or country of birth Data presented in graph and table format and able to be downloaded Will be enhanced with topic filters, table expander options and new data sharing features
ABS Data Maps	New geospatial tool to replace DataPacks and GeoPackages Incorporates a map interface allowing users to explore data before extracting it Ability to filter the data in the tool and choose a combination of geographic areas Data can be downloaded in a range of formats including csv, xlsx and a range of spatial file formats
TableBuilder (a) Basic Pro	Comprehensive data tool allowing users to get customised data tables Pre-defined tables will be loaded to assist users with common cross-tabulations that were previously accessible in Community Profiles
Analytical pages	Topical analysis and commentary
Census data by topic	Census data analysis and downloads by common themes
Accessible outputs	A new range of accessible content which may include easy read, plain language, or Auslan outputs
Detailed microdata (b)	For detailed analysis in DataLab by approved users
Reference materials Census dictionary Understanding Census concepts Census methodology Understanding Census geography Mesh block counts	Reference materials and contextual information designed to support use and interpretation of Census data
Australian Census Longitudinal Dataset (ACLD)	A 5% sample of linked longitudinal data across multiple Census years

Access to Census TableBuilder Pro requires registration with an organisation: TableBuilder
Detailed microdata is a charged product for approved users: MicrodataDownload

Census data will also be available in a range of other ABS products including:

Data Explorer
Data by Region
Digital Atlas of Australia
Person-Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA)
Australian Census and Migrants Integrated Dataset (ACMID)
Australian Census and Temporary Entrants Integrated Dataset (ACTEID)
Other ABS publications or articles (e.g. Estimating Homelessness, SEIFA)
Media releases and social media

Investigations are currently underway to determine whether the 5% Basic Microdata file will remain part of the 2026 Census product suite. The ABS is assessing whether this product continues to meet the needs of its unique user base or if alternative solutions would be more appropriate. Plans for this product will be communicated in mid-2026.

Release Schedule

The ABS will release data from the 2026 Census in a staged approach in three key phases:

First release – June 2027
Most topics will be available across nearly all geographic areas, presented by both place of usual residence and enumeration
Second release – October 2027
A smaller set of topics will be published, including employment-related data and location-based variables
Third release – Early to mid-2028
More complex topics requiring additional processing will be released, such as distance to work and Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA).

The release schedule aligns with the approach used for the 2021 Census and is comparable to practices adopted by other National Statistical Organisations. With the first release occurring less than 12 months after Census night, the ABS has implemented a carefully structured timeline that allows sufficient time for thorough data processing and quality assurance. This approach balances timeliness with accuracy, ensuring Census data remains a reliable, fit for purpose, and trusted foundation for evidence-based decision making across Australia.

Planned 2026 Census topic release plan

The release plans for the 2026 Census build on the foundation established in the 2021 Census, ensuring continuity while introducing enhancements. These include the addition of data from the sexual orientation and gender questions, as well as enriched income data sourced from administrative records.

The table below shows which Census topics will be included in each release. Each topic may have several variables associated with it.

Topic release plan
First release - Jun 2027	Second release - Oct 2027	Third release - from 2028
Age	Internal migration (address of usual residence 1 year ago and 5 years ago)	Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA)
Sex recorded at birth	Non-school qualification	Distance to work
Sexual orientation and gender (new topic) (a)	Status in employment	Census microdata (b)
Registered marital status	Occupation	Estimates of homelessness
Social marital status	Public or private employer indicator	Australian Census Longitudinal Dataset (ACLD)
Family relationship	Workplace address (journey to work)
Address on Census night	Industry of employment
Usual residence at Census time	Hours worked
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin	Method of travel to work
Australian citizenship
Country of birth
Country of birth of parents
Year of arrival in Australia
Main language other than English used at home
Proficiency in spoken English
Ancestry
Religious affiliation
Need for assistance
Long-term health conditions
Attendance at an educational institution
Highest year of school completed
Income
Australian Defence Force Service
Unpaid care, help or assistance of another person due to disability, long-term illness or old age
Unpaid work - domestic activities
Unpaid care for children
Unpaid work – voluntary work for an organisation or group
Number of motor vehicles garaged
Number of bedrooms
Tenure type
Landlord type
Housing costs
Dwelling structure
Location of private dwelling
Type of non-private dwelling
Residential status in non-private dwelling

More complex variables from the new topic may be released in second release
ABS is currently investigating whether the Detailed Microdata product could be released in the first release and updated for subsequent releases.

Geographic outputs

2026 Census data will be published using the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) – Edition 4. This edition will be published in July 2026 and provides the geographic framework for the release and analysis of Census data.

The Census provides a range of data over different areas and geography levels, enabling detailed spatial analysis. The current version, ASGS Edition 3, defines all geographies used by the ABS for data dissemination. Each geography has a distinct name, boundary and purpose.

The ASGS is a collection of geographic boundaries used to structure statistical data. It is divided into two main components:

ABS Structures – These are geographies specifically designed by the ABS for statistical output, such as Statistical Areas (SA1, SA2, SA3, SA4), Mesh Blocks, and Greater Capital City Statistical Areas.
Non ABS Structures – These are approximations of administrative regions defined and maintained by other organisations, such as Local Government Areas (LGAs). The ABS uses Mesh Block approximations to provide statistics for these areas.

A diagram of all ASGS Edition 4 geographies is available in the ABS publication: Outcomes from the review of the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS)

The geography outputs that will be used for 2026 Census data are listed below.

Geography outputs for 2026 Census data
ABS structures	Non ABS structures	Not part of the ASGS
Mesh Block (MB)	Local Government Area (LGA)	Australian Drainage Divisions (ADD)
Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1)	Postal Areas (POA)	Tourism Regions (TR)
Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2)	Commonwealth Electoral Division (CED)	Empowered Communities (EC)
Statistical Area Level 3 (SA3)	State Electoral Division (SED)	Primary Health Networks (PHN)
Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4)	Suburbs and Localities (SAL)	Aged Care Planning Regions (ACPR)
State/Territory (STE)	Destination Zones (DZN)
Australia (AUS)
Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSA)
Urban Centre/Locality (UCL)
Section of State Ranges (SOSR)
Section of State (SOS)
Significant Urban Areas (SUA)
Indigenous Location (ILOC)
Indigenous Area (IARE)
Indigenous Region (IREG)
Remoteness Area (RA)

The geographies listed as not part of the ASGS will still be used to output Census data in the TableBuilder and Microdata products.

Natural Resource Management Regions (NRMRs) are not part of the ASGS and will not be included in the 2026 Census data outputs. The ABS has decided not to publish Census data for these regions due to their limited usage and the low quality of their boundary definitions. However, data for these regions will still be accessible through statistical consultancy services.

Next steps

The ABS will now begin developing and user testing the new suite of Census data products for the 2026 release. This will focus on refining functionality, improving user experience, and ensuring the products meet diverse data needs.

To enable data users to plan for the 2026 Census data release, the 2026 Census Product Release Guide will be released in mid-2026. This guide will provide a more detailed overview of the release schedule, including the variables within each product and their respective release timings.

In addition, the 2026 Census Data Dictionary will be released in mid-2026, providing comprehensive information on Census variables and classifications prior to Census night. This resource will serve as a valuable reference for respondents completing their Census forms and for data users preparing for analysis. The updated dictionary will include details on new variables derived from the sexual orientation and gender questions, as well as updates to existing variables reflecting changes in Census content.

In early 2027, the ABS expects to release a preview of the new tools and enhancements for the Census data products using 2021 Census data. This early access will allow users to explore the new features and functionality prior to the first release of 2026 Census data in June 2027. Information on how the data will be structured within the 2026 Census products will also be made available at this time. The exact details of the preview will be confirmed closer to the date.

With the introduction of new and updated topics and a focus on delivering more intuitive and accessible data products, the 2026 Census will continue to provide essential insights that support evidence-based decisions and reflect the diversity of Australia’s communities.

Downloads

Census topics 1911-2026

Data files

Download xlsx [64.83 KB]

APA

2026 Census topics and data release plan

APA

Introduction

2026 Census Topics

Topic review

Topics

Sexual orientation and gender (new topic)

Gender

Sexual orientation

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Cultural diversity

Ancestry

Country of birth

Country of birth of parents

Main language other than English used at home

Religious affiliation

Other cultural diversity topics

Disability and carers

Unpaid care, help or assistance of another person due to disability, long-term illness or old age

Other disability and carers topics

Education and training

Highest non-school qualifications

Other education and training topics

Health

Household and families

Household and family relationships

Persons temporarily absent on Census night

Other household and families topics

Housing

Landlord type for rented dwellings

Other non-private dwelling information (including the topics of address, name, type, number of persons resident and residential status)

Type of tenure

Other housing topics

Income, work and service in the Australian Defence Force

Income

Industry of employment

Labour force status

Job status

Actively looking for work

Number of employees

Status in employment

Other income, work, and service in the ADF topics

Location

Usual residence at Census time

Other location topics

Population

Sex recorded at birth

Other population topics

Transport

Mode of travel to work

Name and address of workplace attended

Other transport topics

Unpaid work and care

Unpaid work - volunteering

Unpaid work - domestic activities

Other unpaid work and care topics

2026 Census data release plans

Key changes to Census data products

2026 Census product suite

Release Schedule

Planned 2026 Census topic release plan

Geographic outputs

Next steps

Downloads

Census topics 1911-2026

Media releases

2026 Census topics and data release