What does liveability mean to you—a nearby park, safer roads, more cultural events, or better public transport? Australians are being asked to weigh in as the 2025 Australian Liveability Census officially opens, with locals across the country encouraged to take part before it closes on 30 June.
The census, run by independent social research organisation Place Score, is now in its third edition. Since 2021, the initiative has gathered feedback from tens of thousands of Australians, with over 90,000 responses recorded during the 2023 round—making it the largest social research project of its kind in the country.
Place Score partners with local and state governments, businesses, and not-for-profit organisations to better understand what makes a place feel liveable—and what doesn’t. From footpaths to festivals, the survey allows people to share what they value in their local area and how well their neighbourhood delivers.
It takes around 15 minutes to complete, is free to participate in, and is available in English, Hindi, Mandarin, and Arabic—aiming to ensure that Australia’s diversity is captured in both data and direction. As an added incentive, a $1,000 grand prize is on offer for one lucky respondent, with 40 additional participants set to receive $100 Prezzee vouchers.
According to Place Score, the purpose of the census is to provide planners and policymakers with concrete evidence of what communities care about—and where attention is lacking. Rather than relying solely on statistical indicators like housing prices or public transport usage, the census asks residents themselves how their area fares on aspects such as social connection, safety, walkability, and access to essential services.
The idea is that better data leads to better decisions. A council planning new infrastructure or an organisation shaping community programs can benefit from insights drawn directly from the people who live in those areas. For many local governments, this census has become a tool to track progress, compare results across suburbs and demographics, and make the case for targeted investment.
The timing is deliberate. With multiple state and local projects underway and federal funding opportunities on the horizon, the results of this census could influence how and where money is spent.
It’s also a rare moment when residents get to flip the power dynamic. Rather than waiting for decisions to be made on their behalf, they’re invited to speak first—to offer their views not just on what is lacking, but what’s working. The feedback loop is designed to be ongoing, with Place Score analysing patterns over time to identify changes in perception and need.
To take part, visit the official survey link: https://placescore.org/lc25_eml?campaign=groups.
Every completed response adds another dot to the national picture of how Australians experience their communities. And when enough voices speak up, it becomes harder for decision-makers to ignore what they’re saying.
For more information about the 2025 Australian Liveability Census or Place Score, visit www.placescore.org.
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