Australia’s forthcoming Census is scheduled for 2026, however, the Census trial will be conducted next month in selected regions.
The ABS said it will include the planned questions to collect information on sexual orientation and gender from over 16s.
Census bosses say they will also update the question on sex to collect ‘sex recorded at birth’, and update response categories.
The household and family section questions will be updated “to introduce non-gendered terms to be more inclusive,” it said.
“The ABS will ask two questions to collect data on the new topic,” the ABS said.
“These questions will be included in a large-scale Census Test due to take place in August 2025.
“The ABS will consider test outcomes and will make minor refinements to the question designs if required.”
Around 60,000 households have been chosen to take part in the test.
The areas involved are Rockhampton, Gladstone, and Yeppoon in Queensland, along with Melbourne in Victoria, Perth, Albany, and the Wheatbelt region in Western Australia, as well as Coonamble and Gilgandra in New South Wales.
Census General Manager, Jenny Telford, said the test is an essential part of the ABS’ preparations to ensure the 2026 Census runs smoothly.
“We are examining our data collection methods and IT infrastructure to make sure our procedures function effectively and that the questionnaire gathers the correct information accurately,” Telford stated.
The ABS is also partnering with Services Australia to test a new option to access the Census through myGov online.
“You can complete your form as soon as you receive your instructions if you know who will be home on Census Test night, Tuesday 5 August 2025,” Telford said.
LGBTIQ+ advocates have called on the government to include questions about sexuality in the 2026 Census.
