Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Every five years, the ABS counts every person and household in Australia. This is called the Census of Population and Housing. The next Census will be held in August 2026. 

See about the Census to find out more.

The Census is a snapshot of Australia and tells the story of how we're changing. It’s used to estimate Australia’s population, distribute government funds, and plan services for individuals, families and communities.

The Census asks questions about your age, country of birth, cultural background, living situation, work and education.

See about the Census to find out more about why the Census is important.

Before each Census, it’s important to test how we'll run it. The Census Test helps ensure our processes work well and that the form captures the right information, in the right way.

Find out more information about the Census Test.

The Census Test will take place on Tuesday 5 August 2025.

We’re committed to making the Census Test accessible to the widest possible audience. 

Our website aims to meet the Australian Government’s web accessibility requirements. 

For further information about the accessibility of the Census website and online form, see the accessibility page.

Please find more information about how we keep your information safe on our privacy page.

Information about security can be found on our disclaimer and copyright page.

All data going through the Census website, including the information provided on your Census form, will be encrypted and stored in Australia.

Only authorised ABS staff will be able to decrypt submitted data within the ABS secure environment, and all these staff are based in Australia.

Our official Census Test website is www.census.abs.gov.au, census.abs.gov.au, www.info.census.abs.gov.au or info.census.abs.gov.au.

For further information about official Census channels, see avoiding scams and false information.

You can report inaccurate or suspicious information you read or hear through our contact us form.

Please see avoiding scams and false information for further assistance. 

All myGov users can subscribe. You’ll need to enter the address where you’ll stay the night on Census Test night, Tuesday 5 August 2025, and agree to share this address with the ABS. Only one person per household needs to subscribe.

When you’re subscribed, you’ll get updates sent to your myGov Inbox that are part of the Census Test. This will include a link to the online form sent to your myGov Inbox when it’s time to complete the Census Test.

If you haven’t subscribed to Census Test updates and you don’t get any instructions to participate in the Census Test, there’s nothing for you to do.

If you live in a Census Test area, you may still get a letter or paper form in the mail to complete the Census Test.

If your address changes between when you subscribed and Census Test night on Tuesday, 5 August 2025, you can update your address details when completing your online form. 

You should be wary of scammers who try to trick you into sharing your myGov sign in details through fake myGov websites. myGov won’t send you an email or SMS with a link or a QR code to sign in to myGov. Always sign in to myGov using the official myGov app or enter my.gov.au into your browser. Read more on myGov information on scams.

After you sign in to myGov, the messages in your myGov Inbox are secure. This includes the updates and link to the Census Test online form sent to your myGov Inbox.

We'll automatically end this subscription for you, when testing ends in October 2025. Look out for communication ahead of the 2026 Census to subscribe to get updates to complete the Census through myGov.

If you’re having an issue signing in to myGov or any other myGov related questions, please contact the myGov Help Desk. If you're having an issue with your Census Test online form through myGov or any other Census Test related questions, contact us.

Prior to every Census, the ABS undertakes a review of topics on the form. This identifies where the Census can meet additional data needs, improve alignment with other national datasets, and improve the experience by reducing the burden on people when completing. The review includes public consultation, engagement and testing activities. 

The Australian Government and the Parliament determine the topics for each Census. The ABS determines the wording and layout of the questions in the Census that enable information on those topics to be collected. 

For more information about the 2026 Census please see the Outcome of the 2026 Census Topic Review.

Administrative data – or admin data – is information collected by government departments, businesses, and organisations during their regular operations. This data includes records like registrations, sales and other routine activities. Examples include things like rental and electricity usage data. 

The ABS is using administrative data to enhance the efficiency and quality of the 2026 Census. It will enable us to:

• collect Census data more efficiently
• improve the quality of our Census count
• provide a greater breadth of information in the Census dataset.

This helps to improve and expand the statistics we provide to the Australian community, and to make our surveys more efficient and easier to complete.

Administrative data is only used for statistical and research purposes, never in a way that could identify individuals. We ensure all administrative data used is protected by strict privacy and security protocols.

The ABS will be transparent and clearly communicate the use of administrative data to support the Census, including details on how the data is used. 

Find more information about how we used administrative data in the 2021 Census. Additional information will be published before the 2026 Census.

We’re testing our data collection processes and operational systems to ensure they're ready to deliver a positive, safe and secure Census experience.  

Data collected in the Census Test is for testing purposes and will not be released.

You can find vacancies and application details at work for the Census.

Media releases, news and other resources can be accessed through the Census media hub. 

For media interview requests email media@abs.gov.au.