What Is the Census?

The Census is a survey run by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) that counts every single person and household in Australia. It happens every five years and helps paint a picture of who lives in and visits Australia, and how our communities are changing over time. The form covers a wide range of everyday topics, things like your age, education, work, cultural background, languages spoken at home, and even how you got to work or study that day.

Some quick facts about the 2026 Census:

💡 Census night is Tuesday 11 August 2026 - that's tonight!

💡 The ABS runs the Census every five years. The last one was held in 2021.

💡 The Census is compulsory. Everyone who is in Australia on Census night must be included on a form... this includes visitors and visa holders.

💡 It doesn't matter whether you're a citizen, permanent resident, visitor, or student. If you're in Australia tonight, you need to be counted.

💡Travelling tonight? Even on an overnight flight, train, or bus? You still need to complete the Census from wherever you happen to be.

Why Does the Census Matter? What Is the Data Used For?

It's natural to wonder why the government wants to know so much about you.
The honest answer is that Census data quietly shapes a lot of everyday life in Australia. It helps guide planning for schools, hospitals, public transport, and roads, and helps local councils and community groups understand what services their area actually needs.

Here are a few real ways your answers get used:

❤️‍🩹 Health and aged care — Census figures on older Australians help shape aged care funding, workforce planning, housing policy, and health services.

🫂 Community services — organisations use Census numbers to decide where new schools, clinics, playgroups, and public transport routes are needed most.

💰 Funding decisions — governments use Census data to help work out how funding is shared across states, regions, and suburbs for the next five years.

🖤🟡❤️ First Nations communities — the Census is an important resource for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, helping inform decisions around education, employment, health, and infrastructure.

In short: the more complete and accurate the Census is, the better your local community gets served over the next five years. Every household counted really does make a difference.


How to Complete the 2026 Census

The good news is that the ABS has made this as simple as possible, and there's more than one way to take part.

Step 1: Check How You've Been Contacted

Most households will get a letter in the mail with instructions to complete the Census online, including a unique Census number and a temporary password. Some households will instead be sent a paper form directly, and in some areas, friendly ABS field staff — identifiable by their official photo ID and yellow satchel — may visit in person to help.

If you signed up for updates through myGov, you'll receive a message in your myGov Inbox with a secure link to complete your household's Census form online.

Step 2: Complete the Census — Online or on Paper

To complete it online:

1. Find your letter with your Census number and password.
    

2. Go to the official Census website and enter your details when prompted.
    

3. Answer the questions for everyone who stayed in your home on Census night, including visitors, babies, and housemates.
    

4. Submit the form once you're done. That's it!

To complete it on paper:
Fill in the paper form you received and post it back using the reply-paid envelope provided.

Step 3: Include Everyone in Your Household

Your form should cover everyone who stayed in your home on Census night — yourself, your spouse or partner, adult family members, babies, children and teenagers, housemates or boarders, and any visitors staying over, including people with no fixed address.

Step 4: Ask for Help If You Need It

You're never expected to figure this out alone. Help is available in many languages, with free translation and interpreting support for anyone completing the Census. There are also phone and online support services, plus information hubs set up in public spaces if you'd rather speak with someone face to face.

And if you'd simply prefer a friendly, patient person to walk you through the online form step by step — whether that's finding your Census number, getting online, or just feeling confident clicking the right buttons — that's exactly the kind of thing Teki is here for. No jargon, no rush, just real help from real people.



Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Census compulsory?
Yes. Everyone in Australia on Census night must be included on a form, including visitors and visa holders.

What if I'm travelling on Census night?
If you're travelling within Australia on 11 August — including on an overnight train, bus, or flight — you're still expected to complete the Census from wherever you are.

Is my information kept private?
The information you provide is collected by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and used only for Census purposes. Be cautious of scam messages pretending to be about the Census — always complete your form through the official ABS Census website or your myGov app.

When was the last Census?
The previous Australian Census was held in 2021.