Australians are being invited to weigh in on how the country defines cultural and ethnic groups in official statistics, as the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) continues its review of the national classification system used to record ancestry data.
The ABS is now consulting on proposed updates to the Australian Standard Classification of Cultural and Ethnic Groups (ASCCEG), a system that underpins how ancestry is recorded in the Census and other major data sets. The current review is focused on the 4-digit level of the classification—the part that names and groups specific communities.
Proposed changes include the addition of new cultural and ethnic groups, updates to existing labels, and the removal of groups that no longer meet ABS classification criteria. These updates are designed to ensure the classification reflects Australia’s evolving population while maintaining consistency in data collection and reporting.
This second phase of consultation follows an earlier round that ran from April to May this year, which drew 43 submissions from individuals and organisations. Feedback during that phase was described as diverse and insightful, with strong support for revising outdated labels and adding new groups. Some submissions also raised concerns about structural issues in the classification and called for greater clarity around how groups are selected or excluded.
The updated list of proposed changes, released on 4 August, draws on this feedback, along with analysis of data from the 2011, 2016 and 2021 Censuses. The public now has until 29 August 2025 to provide further input before the revised classification is finalised in November.
While the classification might seem like a technical matter, it influences how government, researchers and service providers understand population trends and target support. From education and healthcare to social policy and multicultural initiatives, the classification helps inform decision-making at all levels.
The current review does not include changes to the broader Ancestry Standard or its conceptual framework. It focuses solely on refining the group-level entries to ensure they reflect current realities and community expectations.
More information on the proposed changes—along with supporting documents and the survey for feedback—is available on the ABS Consultation Hub. Submissions are open to individuals, community groups and organisations.
The updated ASCCEG is scheduled for release in November 2025 and will support data collection ahead of the 2026 Census.
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