Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleNearly 28 million people will take part in Australia’s census (AP)Australians will be asked about their sexual orientation and gender identity for the first time in the 2026 national census. The mandatory census of nearly 28 million people determines how federal and state governments allocate funding for healthcare, education, and transport over the next five years. Everyone aged 16 and above will answer questions on sexual orientation, gender, and sex recorded at birth, while gendered wording has been removed from family relationship questions. Demographers have described the update as the most significant change to the census since Indigenous status was introduced more than 50 years ago. The policy change follows a 2022 human rights complaint by Equality Australia, highlighting the need for LGBTQ+ representation in national service planning. In fullNearly 28 million Australians to take part tonight in largest and most inclusive census everMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Sexual orientation to be included on Australia’s census for the first time
Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleNearly 28 million people will take part in Australia’s census (AP)Australians will be asked about their sexual orientation and gender identity for the first time in the 2026 national census. The mandatory census of nearly 28 million people determines how federal and state governments allocate funding for healthcare, education, and transport over the next five years. Everyone aged 16 and above will answer questions on sexual orientation, gender, and sex recorded at birth, while gendered wording has been removed from family relationship questions. Demographers have described the update as the most significant change to the census since Indigenous status was introduced more than 50 years ago. The policy change follows a 2022 human rights complaint by Equality Australia, highlighting the need for LGBTQ+ representation in national service planning. In fullNearly 28 million Australians to take part tonight in largest and most inclusive census everMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
