National Archives

The 2026 Census will ask if each person agrees to having their name, address and other information kept by the National Archives of Australia then made public after 99 years. Based on this Census Test form, would each person agree to their Census information being kept?

(Q66 in the Census Household Form)

Census records are a valuable historic record. Many people choose to have their form kept by the National Archives of Australia so it can be used in history research in 99 years. People who may be interested in accessing this kind of information in the distant future include genealogists who study family trees, historians, academics, social analysts, journalists, and fiction and non-fiction writers.

For the 2026 Census, a person’s name-identified information would not be kept by the National Archives where a person does not agree or the answer is left blank. Information provided to the National Archives would include answers to all questions on a person’s form. 

• Answering this question is optional.
• A person’s name-identified information would not be kept by the National Archives where a person does not agree or the answer is left blank.
• Information provided to the National Archives would include answers to all questions on the form including Question 29 (long-term health conditions).
• Please check with each person in the household to get their answer before completing the question for them.
• If you don't know a person's view, leave this question blank for that person.
• For children, answer this question only if agreement is specifically given by their parent or legal guardian. Otherwise, leave this question blank for that person.
• Legal guardians can also answer on behalf of adults who are legally not able to make a choice. If you do not have the guardian’s agreement, leave this question blank.
• If the person answers ‘No’ or leaves the question blank, this means they would not agree to have their information kept by the National Archives.
• If the person answers 'Yes', this means they would agree to having the part of the form filled out for that person kept. This means that all their information alongside their name would be digitally preserved and held securely by the National Archives of Australia.
• For the purpose of the Census Test, information collected will not be provided to the National Archives.