On Tuesday 11 August 2026, people across Australia will take part in the Australian Census.
If you're thinking, "Hang on, isn't census date a university thing?", you're not alone. We recently asked what you'd like to know about the upcoming Census and many of you told us you weren't sure what it was, how it worked, or whether you needed to complete it.
Before we get into it, this article is about the Australian Census, run by the Australian government, not the University's census date that affects your enrolment and fees.
To help you prepare for Census night, we've answered your most common questions.
What is the Census?
Every five years, the Census counts every person and household in Australia. It鈥檚 run by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and helps build a picture of who lives in and visits Australia, and how communities are changing.听
The Census asks questions about things like age, education, work, cultural background and the languages people speak. The information collected helps governments, organisations and community groups understand what services and infrastructure may be needed now and in the future.听Think of it like a snapshot of a moment in time in Australia.听
Why does it matter?
You might be wondering: what's the point?
Every five years, the Census counts every person and household in Australia. Run by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), it helps build a picture of who lives in and visits Australia, and how communities are changing.
You might not notice Census data in your daily life, but it helps build a picture of Australia's communities and can influence where services are needed most in the future.
Do I need to complete it?
If you鈥檒l be in Australia on Census night, the answer is yes.听
The ABS wants to hear from everyone who is in Australia on Tuesday 11 August 2026 so it can create an accurate snapshot of the population.听
Whether you鈥檙e living in a share house, residential college, student accommodation or at home, you鈥檒l complete the Census based on where you鈥檙e staying on Census night.听
I鈥檓 an international student. Do I need to complete it?
驰别蝉.听
The Census isn鈥檛 only for Australian citizens. It includes people who are in Australia on Census night, including visa holders, international visitors and international students.听
If you鈥檙e studying at the University and you鈥檒l be in Australia on 11 August, you鈥檙e required to complete the Census.听
How and when do I need to do it?
Census night is Tuesday 11 August 2026.听
Most households will receive instructions from late July explaining how to complete the Census. If you already know where you鈥檒l be staying on Census night, you can complete it once you鈥檝e received those instructions.听
Where can I get help?
If you need help completing the Census, support is available through the ABS.听
This includes translated information and resources, accessibility support, in-person assistance and support through the Translating and Interpreting Service, TIS National.听
The ABS also has information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, international students, migrants, refugees and visitors to Australia, as well as resources in multiple languages. You can find language support at聽.听
Hero photo credit:聽Australian Bureau of Statistics