Australia’s Census to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Questions for the First Time, According to Reuters

By Lewis Jackson

SYDNEY – Australia has announced that questions on sexual orientation and gender will be included in the upcoming 2026 census for the first time, following significant controversy surrounding the previous decision by the Labor government to exclude them.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers confirmed on Sunday that the Australian Bureau of Statistics will design the specific questions, although he did not disclose details of what they would entail. "We have listened to the LGBTIQ+ community to ensure we can collaborate with the ABS on this important change for the 2026 census," he stated. "We want to affirm to Australians from the LGBTIQ+ community: you matter, you’ve been heard, you will be counted."

The questions will be optional and directed only to individuals aged 16 and over. This decision reverses a previous stance taken in August, when the government opted not to include questions related to LGBTIQ+ identity.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles had initially justified the exclusion, stating that the government aimed to avoid divisive discussions. He denied that political motivations influenced this decision, despite media speculation suggesting concerns about igniting a culture war ahead of the anticipated election.

In a similar move, the United Kingdom introduced an optional question on sexual orientation in its census in 2021 for the first time.