10 Aug 2026 – Equality Australia says the 2026 Census marks a landmark moment for LGBTQ+ Australians, with new questions providing vital data to better understand the community and inform future policies, programs and services.
Instructions from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) arrived in letterboxes last month, ahead of census night on Tuesday when most households will fill it out online.
There will be separate questions on sex recorded at birth and gender, with the responses used to generate the first accurate data on trans and gender diverse populations. There is also a free-text field and 'prefer not to answer' option available for the gender and sexual orientation questions.
A separate question on sexual orientation will include a range of commonly used terms, and respondents can select the option that best describes them or provide a write-in response.
People with innate variations of sex characteristics, or intersex people, won’t be counted this census after the ABS did not recommend the question following extensive user testing.
Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown:
“For the first time, LGBTQ+ people will be properly counted in Australia's most important national data collection.
“This is a sensible and practical change that brings Australia into line with other comparable countries such as the UK, Canada, Scotland and New Zealand.
“But it’s also about recognising that our lives, our families and our communities, are all a part of Australia's story.”
Ms Brown said LGBTIQ+ people can experience higher rates of housing
insecurity, loneliness, health issues, and barriers in education and employment.
“If we aren't counted, we remain invisible in the data that supports better service delivery, funding, research and policy development.
“At the moment we still don’t have a clear picture of how many LGBTQ+ people there are in Australia, where we live, the make-up of our households and families, or our education, health and employment outcomes.
“This landmark moment changes that. Our lives, families and our communities will finally be reflected in the data that helps shape Australia’s future.”
Director of Trans Justice Project, Jackie Turner:
"This year's census is a huge opportunity for our community. For the first time, we'll have meaningful national data showing that trans people are part of local communities across Australia, working, studying and raising families.
“Having meaningful national data helps governments better understand our lives, allocate resources better, and plan the policies and services we need.
“That’s why being counted matters. When we're represented in the data, we're in a stronger position to advocate for our needs, our rights, and to be represented in the decisions that shape our lives.”
Rainbow parent April Long, who in 2023 lodged a formal complaint with Equality Australia to the Australian Human Rights Commission when the 2021 Census failed to count their family and other LGBTIQ+ people.
The ABS subsequently issued a statement of regret acknowledging the hurt and distress this caused.
“When we lodged our complaint, we weren't asking for special treatment. We were asking for equal recognition.
“Data shapes policy, funding and services, but it also sends a powerful message about who belongs.
“My hope is that when Australians complete the 2026 Census, every person can do so knowing that they are seen, that they belong, and that their story matters.
“When my son looks back one day, I hope he sees this as the moment Australia chose to say, 'You belong. Your family counts. Your story matters.'
“This outcome belongs to every LGBTQ+ person who has ever felt unseen and every parent who wanted their children to grow up knowing their family mattered.”
Dr Morgan Carpenter, bioethicist and Executive Director of Intersex Human Rights Australia (IHRA):
“People with intersex variations must be properly recognised and counted in Australia’s data and public policy.
“Testing showed that people with intersex variations are able to answer a dedicated question, while broader community understanding of why a separate question to those on sex and gender is needed remains limited.
“That gap in understanding highlights the responsibility of governments and institutions to address misconceptions about intersex variations and ensure our policies are informed by evidence, inclusion and the lived experiences of the people they affect.”
Media contact: Tara Ravens 0408 898 154
