Census in Australia

This article is about the process and history of counting Australia's population. For information on current and historical census and other data, see Demographics of Australia.

Census of Population and Housing
← 2021   2026 →
ABS House, the headquarters for the Australian Bureau of Statistics
General information
CountryAustralia
Websitecensus.gov.au
Results
Total population25,956,142
Most populous ​regionNew South Wales (8,095,400)
Least populous ​regionJervis Bay Territory (313)

The Census in Australia, officially the Census of Population and Housing, is the national census in Australia that occurs every five years.[1] The census collects key demographic, social and economic data from all people in Australia on census night, including overseas visitors and residents of Australian external territories, only excluding foreign diplomats.[2] The census is the largest and most significant statistical event in Australia and is run by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).[3] Every person must complete the census, although some personal questions are not compulsory.[4] The penalty for failing to complete the census after being directed to by the Australian Statistician is one federal penalty unit, or A$220.[5] The Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975 and Census and Statistics Act 1905 authorise the ABS to collect, store, and share anonymised data.[6]

The first Australian census was held on 2 April 1911,[7] but census data had been previously collected by individual states.

The most recent census was held on 10 August 2021, with the data planned to be released starting from mid-2022.[8] The next census will be held in early August 2026.

  1. ^ "Census Data". University of Sydney. 6 July 2020. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  2. ^ "2021 Census overview". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 20 July 2020. Archived from the original on 31 July 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  3. ^ Kalisch, David (2 July 2017). "2016 Census of Population and Housing data release national media conference". YouTube. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  4. ^ "2011 Census: Census help: About the Census". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Government. 16 July 2011. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  5. ^ "Census and Statistics Act 1905". Federal Register of Legislation. 28 October 2016. Archived from the original on 4 August 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  6. ^ "Privacy, Confidentiality and Security". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 22 February 2018. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Marking 100 years of Australian Censuses". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Government. 20 November 2009. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  8. ^ "2021 Census topics and data release plan | Australian Bureau of Statistics". www.abs.gov.au. 16 November 2020.