Australia to Conduct National Census on August 11

The Australian Bureau of Statistics will conduct the national census on August 11. More than seven years of planning have gone into the effort, which will employ more than 30,000 staff and make the questionnaire available in 25 languages. Staff are expected to travel more than 10 million kilometres in total.

Most Australians will begin receiving census material by the end of July. People may complete forms before August 11 as long as answers reflect their circumstances on that date. Bureau staff will contact hotels, hospitals and caravan parks to count people away from home.

They will also accompany St Vincent de Paul workers during census week to reach people in emergency accommodation or living rough. The 2021 census recorded an estimated 122,494 people experiencing homelessness, a 5.2 per cent increase from 2016, though the rate as a proportion of the total population eased slightly.

Anna Scott, St Vincent de Paul NSW director of housing and homelessness, said the census offers governments and social organisations an important opportunity to understand the extent of homelessness.

She noted that the surge in the cost of living has increased demand on the organisation's services. “We need people to understand the scope and size of the homeless crisis that the country is facing,” Scott said. “It’s just getting worse.

The first full suite of results from the 2026 census will be released in 2027. David Gruen, the nation’s chief statistician, said census data determines federal electorate boundaries and the allocation of GST among states and territories. “Census data plays a critical role in improving Australia’s economic and social infrastructure,” Gruen said.