Australia to include questions on sexual orientation and gender in 2026 census: 'You matter'

Australia has taken a step towards inclusion. The Land Down Under will now include questions on sexual orientation and gender identity in its census. This is the first time this information will be recorded. 

It comes after more than a week of controversy about Australia's centre-left government's earlier decision to exclude them.

Australian census and inclusivity

As per a Reuters report, Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Sunday (Sep 8) that the upcoming 2026 census would include questions on sexual orientation and gender.

However, he did not specify what the questions would be and said that the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) would design them later.

The questions, as per the report, would be optional and will only be asked to those over the age of 16 years.

'You matter'

Jim Chalmers said that the government has listened to the LGBTQIA+ community.

"We have listened to the LGBTIQ+ community to make sure that we can work with the ABS to deliver this really important change when it comes to the 2026 census," he said.

"We say to Australians from the LGBTIQ+ community: you matter, you've been heard, you will be counted."

"The message that we want to ensure that Australians hear from us today is that we understand the feedback that we got," he said, adding, "We said that we would find the best way to do this, and I believe that we have, and we will."

Why were the questions excluded earlier?

In August, the nation had decided to exclude questions about LGBTIQ+ identity.

At the time, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said this was done to avoid "divisive" community debates.

"We are doing that because we do not want to open up divisive debates in the community," he said.

Marles had denied any political motives behind the decision, as media reports speculated that the government was apprehensive about sparking a culture-war-like campaign ahead of the upcoming elections. In Australia, the elections are likely to be called within nine months.

(With inputs from agencies)