Australians will, for the first time, be asked their “sex recorded at birth” in next year’s census, alongside new questions for those 16 and older about their sexual orientation and gender. Source: The Australian.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics yesterday confirmed the Albanese Government’s change of heart last September to include new census questions on gender and sexual orientation as it set out a series of other changes to the five-yearly questionnaire.
The specific wording of questions in the new topic of sexual orientation and gender have not been finalised, though it is understood answering the section is likely to be voluntary.
The changes to the question on sex to reflect “sex recorded at birth” is designed to differentiate it from the separate new question on gender, the ABS said.
The Albanese Government faced weeks of criticism from LGBTQI and other advocates last year for a decision not to incorporate more gender and sexuality questions in the 2026 census after having made an election commitment to do so.
Labor figures initially defended the move, saying they were determined not to open up a “divisive debate”.
Anthony Albanese then partially reversed the decision in late August, saying one new question would be added to the census on sexuality.
Some days later, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who is also the Minister responsible for the census, said the Government would include a new section on gender and sexual orientation.
Among other changes to the 2026 census will be to “introduce non-gendered terms” when people are filling out the section on household and family relationships. Another change under consideration, to introduce “de facto relationship status” in the marital status section, did not proceed, with that information available in the household and family relationships section of the census.
In the 2021 census, people were given the options of married, never married, widowed, divorced, and separated but not divorced. Those in de facto relationships were advised to select never married.
FULL STORY
Gender and sexuality questions in 2026 census (By Stephen Lunn, The Australian)
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