Australia's 2026 Census to include new questions on gender and sexuality in expanded topics list
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released themes and topics to be asked in the 2026 Census.
In short:
For the first time, Australians will be asked in the 2026 Census to identify their sexual orientation and sex recorded at birth.
Participants will also be able to name up to four cultural ancestries in describing the ethnic make-up of a household, and say whether they ride a bicycle or e-bike to work.
What's next?
The 2026 Census is set to take place on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 with the first data to be released by June 2027.
For the first time, Australians aged 16 and over will be asked in the 2026 Census to identify their sexual orientation and sex recorded at birth.
Participants can choose up to four cultural ancestries and say whether they ride a bicycle or e-bike to work, according to new and updated questions announced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Tuesday.
"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," census general manager Jenny Telford said in a statement.
The census will specifically include a new population topic to collect sexual orientation and gender data for Australians after a 2024 U-turn on a proposed removal of questions that would, for the first time, identify how many LGBTQIA+ Australians live in the country.
Here is what we know about the 2026 Census.
What is the census?
The census is a compulsory, five-year questionnaire sent to every household in the country that aims to compile "the most comprehensive picture of Australia's population and housing", according to the ABS.
The process is the country's largest statistical analysis of the population and provides insights into how people live to support decision-making in government, business and community sectors.
"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 ABS says.
"The range of topics enables analysis across multiple dimensions, offering a unique and comprehensive view of Australian society."
When is the census?
The 2026 Census is set to occur on the night of Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
Most Australian households will receive a letter in the mail with instructions on how to complete the census online, although some will receive a paper form, the ABS says.
For the first time in the history of the census, Australians will also be able to subscribe for access to the questionnaire via their MyGov accounts.
MyGov subscribers will be sent additional updates about the rollout of the census and a link to the online form when it is time to be filled out.
Which questions will be new in the 2026 Census?
Questions about a person's gender and sexual orientation will be the only new topic to be included, however, the ABS has announced there will be updates made to previously existing sections.
"The 2026 Census will ask questions on both sex recorded at birth and gender," the ABS website says.
"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."
In identifying their gender, participants will be able to choose from options including Man, Woman, Non-binary, Another term (specify), or choose not to answer, according to the question released by the ABS.
The proposed wording of a 2026 Census question to identify a person's gender. (Supplied: Australian Bureau of Statistics)
Another question on sexual orientation will ask Australians about how they consider their own sexuality and the nature of their romantic or sexual attraction to other people, the ABS states.
Answer options for that question include Straight, Gay or Lesbian, Bisexual, Another term (specify), Don't know, and Prefer not to answer.
A list of content changes planned for the 2026 Census and released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday November 25, 2025. (Supplied: Australian Bureau of Statistics)
Other changes to the 2026 Census will mean Australians can report up to four cultural ancestries in describing the ethnic make-up of their household.
The change to the question relating to the country of birth of a person's parents includes the addition of the words: "This could be a parent of any gender."
The 2026 Census will also list liver disease as an option for the long-term health condition question, and add e-bikes into a bicycles category to identify a person's mode of travel to work.
The ABS says a previously included question about the number of children a woman has given birth to will be scaled back so that data is only collected on a once-per-decade basis and will not be included in next year's census.
When will the 2026 Census data be released?
The ABS says the data recorded in the 2026 Census will be released to the public in three phases, with most topics to be sent out in June 2027.
Data for smaller topic sections will then be released in October 2027, and all remaining insights will then be distributed in early 2028.
Editor's note 25.11.25: This story has been corrected. The Census is compulsory.