Back in 2021, over 25 million Australians took part in sharing insights into their personal lives, family backgrounds, and careers, contributing to the Census of Population and Housing.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) utilized this data to craft a comprehensive portrayal of the nation’s rich diversity.
Significantly, nearly half of the Australian population had at least one parent born outside the country. Over 400 languages are spoken across the continent, including more than 180 Indigenous languages.
As the 2026 Census looms ahead, Australians will once again be called upon to divulge details about their lives starting Tuesday, August 11.
This national survey is mandatory for everyone living in Australia on Census night. This includes international visitors, refugees, and migrants, ensuring that every voice is heard in shaping the nation’s future.
Here are some of the most common Census myths and questions — and what an expert says about them.
Is the Census a test?
Emily Walter, a Census national spokesperson at the ABS, said there are misconceptions that the Census is a test or graded assessment tool.
“This is a self-reported questionnaire … so, the right answer is always what represents you the best and who you are,” she told SBS Examines.
The more honestly people answered, the more accurately the data reflected Australia’s population, she added.
“It’s really important that we understand how our cultural makeup is changing and everyone’s individual responses contribute to that … [and] provides the opportunity for local services to be provided.”
Can government departments see my Census answers?
Information collected during the Census cannot be shared with police, immigration agents or any other government departments.
By law, personal information, including names and addresses, must be separated from other Census data.
After the Census, names can be retained for up to 18 months, and addresses for up to 36 months.
The ABS has spent years assessing the privacy, security and processing of its data, with all information collected during the Census protected under the Census and Statistics Act.
What is Census information used for?
The Census is often referred to as a national headcount or a snapshot of the nation, but it’s used to inform funding for essential services like schools, hospitals, libraries and public transportation.
Walter said people’s responses influenced the location and availability of English classes for newly settled migrants, which “help them then build their language skills and support them through applying for jobs or driver’s licences or all of the things that you need to support yourself”.
She added that Census responses cannot be used to make a person attend English language classes.
Is the Census in English?
The Census must be completed in English; however, information about the survey is available on the Census website in 26 languages.
The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) also provides access to interpreters who speak more than 150 languages.
The ABS said it has employed around 30,000 field staff to ensure people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and parts of regional and rural Australia can complete the form.
The Census can be completed online or on paper, if requested.
How many forms do you get per household?
Generally, one person will complete the Census for everyone in the household on 11 August.
The Census can be completed before this date if individuals know where they will be on Census night.
If a person wants to complete the Census separately from their household, they can call the Census Contact Centre, which will provide login details to complete the form online or via paper.
If more than one Census form is submitted for the same person, the ABS keeps the questionnaire with the most complete information about the person.
Walter said this process allows people to “return their information separately and privately, and they don’t need to let the household know that they’ve done that”.
“So when we think about that sort of concern about being targeted and not being comfortable, particularly for the religion question and also the gender and sexual orientation questions, there is a ‘prefer not to answer’ category so people can choose that.”