2026 Census to include questions about gender and sexual orientation

Questions about gender and sexuality will be included in the 2026 Census to provide deeper insights about Australian society and the experiences of LGBTIQ+ people. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) revealed its Census Topics for next year, and will ask Australians aged over 16 years about their sex recorded at birth and gender. The gender question encompasses cultural concepts about the differences in identity, expression and experiences as a man, woman, non-binary person, or another gender identity. Australians will also be asked to answer questions about their sexual identity and attraction to others. The questions were included after public consultation revealed more detailed data was needed, particularly for the LGBTIQ+ community. The information provided in Census provides a snapshot about Australian society and helps authorities deliver targeted services and programs across the nation. Authorities hope the additional data will improve inclusivity and will be used to generate data on trans and gender diverse populations. Census General Manager Jenny Telford said the 2026 Census Topics and Data Release Plan was a significant milestone in the lead up to the next Census on August 11. “The 2026 Census will deliver richer insights, with the addition of a new topic on gender and sexual orientation, and updates to existing topics to meet emerging data needs,” she said. “We will make Census results freely available across a range of products making it easier than ever for people to access and use.” The ABS will release data from the 2026 Census in three phases, with data for most topics to be released in June 2027. Data for a smaller set of topics, including employment-related data, will be released in October 2027. The remaining data, including the distance people live from where they work, will be released in early 2028.