The Federal Government has confirmed the 2026 census will not include questions about sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics, in a move that’s angered LGBTIQ+ advocates.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), which is due to conduct the next census in 2026, had considered adding new questions on these topics to the next national survey.
Rights groups have criticised the decision, which they say will mean LGBTIQ+ people will remain “invisible” in Australia’s population breakdowns.
Census
Every five years, the ABS conducts a national survey known as the census.
It captures details and trends about Australia’s population including health, age, housing, cultural background, and religion, but not sexual orientation or gender identity.
The ABS says that “community groups, not-for-profit organisations, businesses and governments use Census data to make important decisions.”
2021 census
The last census was held in 2021. In August 2023, the ABS issued a “statement of regret” following numerous complaints about its questions.
The 2021 census, like previous censuses, didn’t include questions about sexual orientation, gender identity, or variations in sex characteristics (e.g. intersex people)
“The ABS recognises that some members of the LGBTIQ+ community experienced hurt, stress, anguish and other negative reactions to some Census questions,” it said.
Suggested changes
The ABS consulted more than 1,000 people and organisations on future census questions and set up an LGBTIQ+ expert advisory committee.
In late 2023, the ABS said it was considering adding “sex recorded at birth” as a question. The 2021 census included three options: male, female, or non-binary sex. A question about birth sex would provide data about transgender people.
It also said it was considering a question about sexual orientation due to a “lack of a reliable evidence base”.
The ABS also noted a “significant data gap” on those with variations of sex characteristics, like intersex people.
It said understanding the number of people with differences in their innate genetic, hormonal, or physical sex characteristics can help plan resources to “support individuals and their families”.
“The small size of this population group means that sample surveys are unable to produce both national and lower-level estimates,” the ABS said in a statement.
Reversal
In 2023, the Labor Party committed to making sure “the 2026 Census gathers relevant data on LGBTIQ+ Australians”.
Today, however, Assistant Employment Minister Andrew Leigh told TDA: “It is the decision of the Government that there will be no change to the topics in the next Census, which will be held in 2026.”
This means questions around gender, sexual orientation, and variations in sex characteristics won’t be included.
Response
National advocacy group Equality Australia said the Federal Government had “betrayed LGBTIQ+ people around Australia”.
CEO Anna Brown said LGBTIQ+ people “will again be rendered invisible in 2026 because the Census won’t ask appropriate questions about who they are and how they live.”
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia CEO Nicky Bath said there will still be “significant data gaps needed to address the pervasive health and wellbeing disparities” in the community.
Greens LGBTIQ+ spokesperson Stephen Bates accused the Government of failing to do the “bare minimum” of data collection.
Bates said the lack of data on LGBTIQ+ Australians was stalling necessary reforms to healthcare and education.
TDA has approached the Federal Opposition and the ABS for comment.
