Census in 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.