What you and your family need to know about Census 2026
The national Census is being held on August 11, marking a chance for our nation to be counted in all its diversity. Here’s what your family needs to know ahead of Census night
READING LEVEL: GREEN
Census night is fast approaching, but this year your family won’t have to wait to fill out their Census form.
While the Census will be collecting information about Australia’s diverse population as it stands on August 11, households have the option to fill out their Census ahead of time as long as they know where they will be on the night the Census takes place.
So what do you and your family need to do to take part? And why do we even have a Census?
WHAT ARE THE FIRST STEPS?
As Census night fast approaches, the Australian Bureau of Statistics* (ABS) has urged all households to keep an eye on their mailboxes for instructions on how to participate in the national count.
This year, most Australians are expected to complete their Census online, however paper forms have been made available on request for those who would rather stay off the computer.
Census national spokeswoman Emily Walter said households could complete their Census online once they received instructions in the mail.
WHY DO WE HAVE THE CENSUS?
The Census is Australia’s most detailed snapshot, revealing how our nation is changing. This important data is used by governments, community groups and businesses to plan essential services like schools, hospitals, transport and infrastructure*, ensuring resources are allocated where they’re needed most across the country.
WHERE DID THE IDEA FOR A CENSUS COME FROM?
While modern national Censuses began in 1911 under a constitutional mandate*, the idea of counting Australians dates back to 1788 with early “musters” of convicts and settlers. The Census was mainly introduced to provide an accurate count of the population and its characteristics, important for everything from figuring out electoral boundaries* to guiding national development.
HOW OFTEN IS THE CENSUS TAKEN?
The Census is held every five years to keep our national data up-to-date.
WHO COMPLETES THE CENSUS FORM?
Everyone in Australia on Census night must be included on a Census form – it’s a legal requirement under the Census and Statistics Act 1905. This includes all residents, visitors and visa holders. The parents or guardians of the household usually fill out the survey.
WHAT IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE YOUR HOME ON CENSUS NIGHT?
If you’re away from home but returning by Wednesday 12 August 2026 and not being counted elsewhere, you should be included on your usual household’s form.
WHAT IF YOU ARE VISITING SOMEWHERE ELSE ON CENSUS NIGHT?
If you’re staying at another household, perhaps visiting relatives for the week, you should be included on their form. For privacy, your parents or guardians can request a separate online Census number or paper form. They can call the Census Contact Centre on 1800 181 227.
WHAT IF I AM AWAY FROM HOME ON CENSUS NIGHT?
If your family is travelling within Australia, a parent or guardian must complete a Census form for wherever you are staying. If someone is completing the form at your usual address, and you’re the one who isn’t home, you’ll be marked as “away” but usually living there.
WHAT IF I AM OVERSEAS ON CENSUS NIGHT?
If you’re overseas on Census night, you don’t need to complete the Census. If someone at your usual address is completing the form, you’ll be marked as “away” but usually living there. Your parents can also notify the ABS via its website if your home is entirely empty.
DOES YOUR FAMILY HAVE TO COMPLETE IT?
Yes, it’s compulsory. Failing to complete the Census after a formal direction can lead to prosecution* and daily fines of up to $364 for your parents or guardians. Providing false or misleading information is also a serious offence, with fines up to $3640.
HOW THE CENSUS BENEFITS YOU
Every answer contributes to understanding Australia’s needs now and in the future. Accurate Census data means the right services can be provided in your community, including local playgroups, mobile healthcare and funding for hospitals, schools, roads and public transport. It also determines political representation and electoral boundaries.
WHAT’S NEW IN THIS YEAR’S CENSUS?
This year’s Census will include a few changes, such as participants being able to select up to four ancestries*. There will also be updated categories for long-term health conditions (like liver disease) and ways of travelling (including e-bikes).
HOW TO COMPLETE THE CENSUS FORM
Most households should have received a letter with an online access code, but if not, instructions should also be available through myGov. Your parents can complete it as soon as they get their instructions. Paper forms, translation services, and assistance from field staff are also available upon request. When completing the paper form, your parents or carers should use a black or blue pen and write in capital letters.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
The average household should plan for about 30 minutes to fill out the Census.
HOW TO STAY SAFE FROM SCAMS
In this world where scams are so common, it’s important to remember that the ABS will never ask for your bank details, credit card information, money, passwords, identity documents or tax file number*. They will not contact you unexpectedly via social media or offer prizes. If your parents receive a suspicious call, email, or SMS, let them know that it’s likely a scam. They should always check the official census.abs.gov.au website or Scamwatch for alerts.
IS YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION SAFE?
Absolutely. The ABS legally separates personal identifying information, such as names and addresses, from the demographic* answers provided, deleting them once processing is complete. By law, the ABS cannot share personal Census data with tax offices, law enforcement, landlords or businesses, ensuring privacy is protected for all people who take part.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU FILL OUT THE CENSUS?
Once your parents have filled in the form online, that’s it. They’re done.
The paper form will need to be mailed back in the Reply Paid envelope provided.
The paper form allows for up to six people in one household.
If there are more than six people at your address on Census night, your parents or guardians could either complete the Census online or get an extra paper form.
If your parents or carers need assistance to complete your form, there are help and support options available.
WHEN IS THE CENSUS DATA RELEASED?
The 2026 Census data will be released in stages, most likely to start from June next year.
For further details, your parents or carers can visit census.abs.gov.au
POLL
GLOSSARY
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: the national statistics agency, which collects and publishes social, economic and population information
- infrastructure: the systems, structures and networks needed for a society to function
- constitutional mandate: a legal or political command written into the founding law of a country
- electoral boundaries: geographic lines that split up a country or region into different voting areas
- prosecution: criminal charges being laid
- ancestries: the countries where your family lived long ago
- tax file number: a unique number assigned to every Australian worker needed for lodging tax returns
- demographic: population
EXTRA READING
Aussies hit 28 million and counting
World’s biggest census begins
Census reveals changing shape of Australia
QUICK QUIZ
1. What is the Census data used for?
2. How often is the Census held in Australia?
3. What are the two different ways it can be filled out?
4. How can people stay safe from scams during Census time?
5. How do people who are travelling on Census night take part in the count?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Conduct a class Census
Design and conduct your own simple and anonymous class Census. You need to create the questions, the questionnaire and then collect responses so you can analyse the data.
Think about what questions might be useful to know or might be interesting to find out about your class. Some suggestions could be:
- Hobbies
- Family members
- Number of pets
- How they travel to school
You can design your own questions.
Write out your questionnaire and get students to anonymously record their responses.
Collect your data.
Create a bar graph depicting the information and write five key statements you’ve learnt from conducting your class census.
Time: allow 25 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Mathematics, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking
2. Extension
“Explain why every household should complete the census accurately”.
Write arguments in support of this statement with evidence from the article.
Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Civics and Citizenship, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking
VCOP ACTIVITY
To sum it up
After reading the article, use your comprehension skills to summarise in a maximum of three sentences what the article is about.
Think about:
- What is the main topic or idea?
- What is an important or interesting fact?
- Who was involved (people or places)?
Use your VCOP skills to re-read your summary to make sure it is clear, specific and well punctuated.