Australia Introduces Optional Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Questions in Census

Australians can now answer questions about their sexual orientation and gender identity in the census for the first time. These optional questions are part of the 66-question survey conducted every five years. The latest census took place on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

The current Labor government decided to include these questions after initially removing them two years ago due to concerns about divisiveness. The sexual orientation question offers options like straight, gay or lesbian, bisexual, “don’t know,” and “prefer not to answer.” Respondents can also provide their own term in a blank space. For gender identity, choices include man, woman, nonbinary, “prefer not to answer,” or another self-defined term.

Both questions are optional, along with the long-standing religion question. Labor had promised to add these topics during its 2022 election campaign. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) determines the wording of questions after the government sets the census themes.

In 2024, the government avoided adding new questions to maintain social cohesion, but faced backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates and some Labor members. After almost a week of criticism, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the sexual orientation question would be included in the next census.

ABS Chief Statistician David Gruen noted significant public interest in these topics during consultations. Liz Allen, a demographer at Australian National University, pointed out that Australia lags behind countries like Britain and Canada, which have similar questions. She suggested adding a question about being intersex.

The ABS expects 85% of responses to be online, up from nearly 80% in 2021. Paper forms are also available upon request. Field staff assist homeless individuals and those in remote areas. Non-compliance can lead to fines of up to $257 per day. By August 10, 2026, over 3.6 million forms had been submitted, with around 11 million expected total responses.