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The ABS considered but rejected new questions about gender for the 2021 census – but they could be in the 2026 national headcount.Credit:Tanya Macheda

The issue of sexual orientation,gender identity and sexual characteristics has grown in importance over recent years,forcing statistical organisations to change how they track it. For instance,the bureau now collects data on same-sex marriage.

In the run-up to the 2021 census,the bureau considered but ultimately rejected a gender question – a moveattacked by members of the LGBTIQ+ community who felt they were being ignored.

But in an update on possible questions for the next census,the bureau revealed it was considering a revamp to questions related to sexual identity,saying gender was “a social and cultural concept”.

The bureau’s director of 2026 census content,Georgia Chapman,said 260 submissions and 500 other pieces of feedback about the content of the forthcoming census had been received.

She said if all of them were accepted,the number of topics covered by the census would more than double from the current 53.

“There are more requests for new topics than can be accommodated in the census,so new topics need to be prioritised and existing topics need to be considered for removal,” she said.

“New topics in the census are carefully considered to balance the cost to the Australian taxpayer and the burden on households when answering additional questions.”

Ghassan Kassisieh says questions on gender would ensure all Australians were counted in the 2026 census.Credit:Nick Cubbin

The possible questions would be in addition to the traditional inquiry about a respondent’s sex. This could include asking people if they were non-binary,if they identified as gay or lesbian,and if they had a genetic,hormonal or physical characteristic that did not conform with medical norms for female or male bodies.

The bureau revealed it has previously tested questions about gender,finding they were well understood by survey respondents. But questions around sexual identity had proven more difficult to phrase in a way that was readily comprehended.

Equality Australia director Ghassan Kassisieh said the possible new questions would finally count all Australians properly.

He said there was not enough information at present about the number of LGBTIQ+ people in Australia,where they lived and basic demographic information which could be used to target government services.

“Thousands of LGBTIQ+ people and rainbow families were rendered invisible in 2021 because the census failed to ask appropriate questions about who we are and how we live,” he said.

“Governments need reliable data about our work,income and health to inform the delivery of vital services and make decisions about our future.”

In addition to new questions on gender,the ABS is looking at asking Australians about their household energy sources,consumption of power and the energy efficiency of appliances.

It is also considering questions on the impact of natural disasters,including the type of disaster,the financial loss incurred by respondents and the insurance status of affected people.

In another change,the bureau is considering using data from other sources,most likely the Tax Office,to determine income levels. Census data about incomes are vastly different from more accurate information collected by the ATO.

Four areas may be axed or modified,including a question about the number of children ever borne by a woman,the number of cars owned by a household and the number of workers employed by owner-managers.

The bureau will carry out public consultation until September 8,with a final set of proposed questions to be put to the government next year. The census is due to be held in early August 2026.

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