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s Census night approaches, everyone who will be in Australia on Tuesday, 11 August is being urged to complete their Census, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics reminding households that they do not have to wait until the night itself if they already know where they will be.
Most households have now received a letter with instructions on how to complete the Census online, while some have received a paper form or a visit from a Census Field Officer.
Emily Walter, the Census national spokesperson, said people who already know where they will be on Census night can complete their Census early.
“While many households have completed their Census already, we’re urging those who haven’t to do so as soon as possible,” she said.
“You don’t have to wait until Census night.”
Everyone in Australia on Census night, including international students, visitors and visa holders, must be included on a Census form.
The Census provides a snapshot of Australia’s population and helps governments, businesses and community organisations plan for future needs, including roads, schools, hospitals and local services.
“For those who need it, additional support is available in person, online and over the phone,” Walter said.
“This includes translated information materials and the option to speak to someone in your preferred language through the Translating and Interpreting Service.”
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) says the average household takes around 30 minutes to complete the Census. Information collected is protected by law and cannot be released in a way that is likely to identify individuals, including to other government agencies.
For multicultural communities, the Census is also an opportunity to ensure their stories are reflected in Australia’s national picture.
Christina Chia, a Non-Executive Director of Box Hill Institute and Vice President of the Chinese Association of Victoria, says participating in the Census is about much more than statistics.
“Before people can belong, contribute or thrive, they must first be seen,” she said.
Having migrated to Australia from Malaysia more than three decades ago as a single parent with two young daughters, Chia said she has experienced first-hand the importance of feeling recognised, included and represented.
Drawing on her experience as a former chief operating officer of a national education organisation, she said Census data directly influenced decisions about where to establish new tutoring campuses.
Population data revealed strong growth in Melbourne’s western and northern suburbs, particularly among multicultural families. Rather than relying on assumptions, the organisation used Census data to identify areas of genuine demand and to tailor engagement with growing Chinese, Indian and Vietnamese communities.
“Census data helped us invest in communities where demand was genuinely growing.”
Chia believes reliable demographic information gives community leaders and policymakers the evidence they need to make informed decisions and ensure services keep pace with changing communities.
She said Australia’s population has changed significantly since the last Census in 2021, with shifts in migration, housing, employment and education creating new priorities.
“When community growth is reflected in Census data, it tells decision-makers where to build schools, childcare centres and hospitals,” she said.
“It can help secure funding for mental health support, employment programs and language services, delivering the practical support our community relies on to thrive in Australia.”
Chia also described the Census as an important historical record that documents Australia’s evolution into one of the world’s most multicultural nations.
“Every community has a story,” she said. “That is why it is so important to participate; every answer matters.”
“Completing the Census is about more than filling in a form,” she said. “It is about ensuring every person, every family and every community has the opportunity to be counted and seen.”
The 2026 Census will take place on Tuesday, 11 August. Information and translated resources are available in a range of languages.
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