Doing the Census Test

Households that are selected for the Census Test will get instructions on how to complete the Census Test.

Some households will be asked to complete the Census Test online and some will get a paper form.

We’re testing our paper and online forms as part of the Census Test. If you get a paper form, we would appreciate you completing this form even if you would normally go online. This will help us make improvements for the 2026 Census. 

However, if you get instructions to complete online but would prefer a paper form, you can request one. 

If you’ve subscribed through myGov, you'll get updates and a link to complete the Census Test for your household to your myGov Inbox.

If you know who’ll be home on Census Test night, Tuesday 5 August 2025, you can complete your Census Test as soon as you get your instructions. 

It’s important to fill out your Census Test form and include everyone staying in your household on Census Test night, including visitors and babies.

The Census Test allows everyone in the selected areas to complete their form, no matter where they live or their living situation. Read about completing the Census Test where you are.

If you’re filling out the Census Test form for your household, you should include everyone who’ll spend the night at your home on Census Test night, Tuesday 5 August 2025. This includes: 

• yourself
• your spouse/partner
• adult family members (including adult children, parents, siblings and extended family members)
• babies, children and teenagers
• unrelated housemates, flat mates or boarders
• visitors or friends who spend Census Test night in the dwelling, including those with no fixed address
• people who usually live at this dwelling who will return on Wednesday 6 August 2025 and will not be included on a form elsewhere (for example, shift workers at work on Census Test night).

When the time comes to complete the Census Test, you’ll need to know:

• who'll spend the night in your household on Tuesday 5 August 2025
• who usually lives in your household but will be away on Census Test night.

For everyone in your household on Census Test night, you’ll need to know:

• name, sex recorded at birth, date of birth and age, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status
• current address and addresses for one year and five years ago
• current marital status
• country of birth, citizenship, ancestry, religion, languages used, countries of birth of parents and year of arrival in Australia (if applicable)
• if they need assistance with self-care, body movement or communication activities
• if they have a long-term health condition
• education and qualifications
• work (paid and unpaid) and total personal income
• if they have served in the Australian Defence Force.

You’ll also be asked the following questions for everyone in your household aged 16 years and older. You can choose to select ‘prefer not to answer’ for these questions: 

• gender
• sexual orientation.

There are questions about the dwelling itself, the number of registered motor vehicles at the dwelling and how much you spend on your rent or mortgage.

We also ask a few questions about any people who would normally be in your household but will be away on Census Test night.

Find out more about how to answer questions in the Census Test, why we ask each question and how data on these topics can help inform important decisions and services. 

If you want to fill in your Census Test separately from your household, you will be able to get a Census number to complete online or request a paper form by calling the Census Contact Centre on 1800 181 227.

Some households will get a letter or paper form with a unique 16-digit Census number and a temporary 9-character password. Use these to log in and complete your Census Test online.

Some households will get a letter with instructions to get a Census number online. Use these to get a Census number, log in and complete your Census Test. 

If you get a paper form, we would appreciate you completing this form even if you would normally go online. If you get both a letter to complete the Census Test online and a paper form, please complete it in your preferred way.

For help completing your online form, read more about help completing your Census Test. 

Some households will get a paper form. Complete the form following the instructions provided, and once complete, mail it back in the Reply Paid envelope provided.

The paper form allows for up to six people in your household. If there are more than six people at your address on Census Test night, you will be able to get a Census number to complete online or request an extra paper form.

People who subscribe to Census Test updates through myGov will get a message sent to their myGov Inbox when it’s time to complete the Census Test. Use the link in this message to complete the Census Test online form. 

If you get a letter or paper form and you've subscribed through myGov, please complete it in your preferred way. 

There's support available if you need help to do your Census Test.

• There are a range of help and support options available to assist you to complete your form.
• For help in your language, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450.
• If you’re d/Deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech or communication difficulty, the National Relay Service (NRS) can help you to contact us. Visit the NRS website for further assistance.