Australia’s 2026 Census will once again fail to account for LGBTQ+ individuals. The federal government has confirmed that the upcoming Census will not include questions about gender, sexual orientation, or diverse sex characteristics, continuing the same approach as the 2021 Census.
On 25 August, the Australian Government announced that the 2026 Census would retain the same topics as the previous one, which also overlooked issues critical to the LGBTQ+ community. In 2021, the Census did not inquire about gender identity or sexual orientation, sparking criticism.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) had previously expressed regret for excluding the queer community from the 2021 Census. In a statement, they acknowledged that the omission caused “hurt, stress, anguish and other negative reactions” among LGBTQ+ individuals.
Despite this, the current government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has decided not to introduce any new topics for the 2026 Census nor to remove any existing ones. This decision was confirmed in a government press release.
Anna Brown, CEO of Equality Australia, criticised the government’s stance, stressing the importance of Census data in understanding the LGBTQ+ population in Australia. Brown stated, “The federal government has betrayed LGBTQIA+ people around Australia who will again be rendered invisible in 2026 because the census won’t ask appropriate questions about who they are and how they live.”
She further emphasised the need for reliable data to inform essential services and future planning, adding, “We still don’t know how many LGBTQIA+ people there are in Australia or where they live.”
Following the government’s decision, the ABS has cancelled its initial plan for the 2024 Census Test. The next test is now scheduled for 2026.
Dr David Gruen AO, Australian Statistician, explained, “Given the Government’s announcement yesterday that topics will remain unchanged from 2021, I have made the decision that the upcoming Test will not proceed.”
He noted that the Test would have included topics the government has now excluded from the 2026 Census. Gruen added that the ABS would adjust its testing plans to ensure a successful Census that is “safe, secure and easy to complete.”
He concluded by thanking those who contributed to the upcoming Census preparations.
