Equality australia
We use legal, policy and communications expertise - backed by the people power of our community - to achieve equality for LGBTIQ+ people
On 11 August, make history
For the first time, LGBTQ+ Australians will be properly counted in the Census with new questions on sexual orientation and gender.
The Census is Australia's most important national data collection. The information it gathers will help governments, policymakers, researchers and service providers make informed decisions about the services and support our communities need.
For decades, LGBTIQ+ communities have fought to be counted. This Census is a landmark step towards building a clearer picture of our communities, our families and our lives.
Census instructions will begin arriving in letterboxes ahead of Census night on Tuesday 11 August 2026.
While this is a historic milestone, people with innate variations of sex characteristics (intersex people) will not be counted this year. Equality Australia will continue working alongside intersex organisations to advocate for full inclusion in the future.
For more information about the new questions and any others you might have check out our factsheet.
Equality Australia was born from a campaign to deliver marriage equality for millions of current and future Australians. Learn more about how we achieved this historic change!
