Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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. The Census Test was Tuesday 5 August 2025. 

Find out more information about the Census Test.

The Census Test was voluntary. It was important that everyone selected participated to ensure it reflected a broad cross-section of people and communities in Australia. 

The Test helps us improve the Census process so the 2026 Census is easier to complete and produces high quality statistics.

Around 60,000 selected households across Australia got instructions in the mail to complete the Census Test. We selected Census Test areas using past Census data to ensure we cover the diversity of Australia. 

Not all households in each area were asked to participate in the Census Test. If you live in the selected areas and didn’t receive a letter or form from the ABS, there's nothing you need to do.

You can find information on questions asked in the Census Test, including how to answer the Census Test questions, why we ask each of the questions, and how they help families and communities.

After the Census Test the ABS reflects on the feedback, processes and quality of the data collected.

This way we can refine our processes and ensure that the 2026 Census is easy to complete and collects the right information.

The data collected from the Census Test will not be released. All personal information collected from the Census Test will be deleted before the Census in August 2026.

Selected households within the Census Test locations will be contacted by ABS staff for a Post Census Review. The review will help confirm the accuracy and quality of key information collected within the Census Test. The Post Census Review Survey usually takes less than ten minutes for most households to complete. It's conducted by an interviewer either over the phone or in person. 

We recycle any unused materials from the Census Test. Any unused Census Test letters and envelopes you have can be recycled as well.

All myGov users had the option to subscribe to Census Test updates through myGov in July 2025.  This new option was introduced to make it easy to get updates and access the Census online.

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.

You can choose to unsubscribe from Census Test updates at any time. You can find out more about how to unsubscribe on the myGov website.

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.

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.

Census night is Tuesday 11 August 2026. Most households will receive a letter with instructions to complete the Census online. Some will receive a paper form instead.

For the first time, you’ll be able to subscribe to access the 2026 Census through myGov. If you subscribe to Census updates through myGov, you’ll get a link to the online form sent to your myGov Inbox when it’s time to complete the Census. 

Census field staff may visit households to deliver forms or provide reminders. They carry official ABS photo ID and a yellow satchel.

The Census includes everyone who stayed in your household on Census night, including visitors and babies.

We want everyone to feel included and supported when doing the Census. Supports will be in place to help everyone can participate, including for:

• people living with disabilities
• older Australians
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• people from different cultural and language backgrounds
• people experiencing homelessness.

Closer to the 2026 Census, a range of information and self-service options will be available to complete your Census. 

You can help a family member or friend complete the Census. You can also complete the Census on behalf of a family member or friend. Please ensure the answers you provide are as accurate as possible. 

If your family member/friend was at your house on Census night or lives with you, you can include them on your household form.

Translated information about the Census will be available in a number of languages. 

Closer to the 2026 Census, a range of translated materials will be available to help everyone participate.

We’re committed to making the Census 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.

For the 2026 Census, the ABS is using AI to improve productivity and enhance customer experience for people completing the Census.

During the Census Test, we’ll trial a generative AI chatbot on the Census website to help answer questions. The chatbot uses a pre-written knowledge base and does not learn from user input. It is designed to operate without collecting personal information and automatically removes any personal details that are entered, ensuring your privacy is protected.

We’ll also use Machine Learning models to code written responses provided on Census forms. These models will be used to code written responses to Occupation, Industry, Education, Religion, Ancestry, Language and Country of Birth questions to the relevant classification. All data used to train and run these models is securely stored and processed within ABS systems.

You can read more on how we use AI, visit our AI Transparency Statement.

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 contact us to report inaccurate or suspicious information you read or hear.

Please see avoiding scams and false information for further assistance. 

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.