THE Australian Bureau of Statistics will conduct a large-scale Census Test in August as part of its preparation for the 2026 Census.
Households in Coonamble and Gilgandra in central-western New South Wales have been selected to take part.
About 60,000 households have been selected from towns and cities in several states, including Rockhampton, Gladstone and Yeppoon in Queensland, Melbourne in Victoria, and Perth, Albany and the Wheatbelt region of western Australia.
Census general manager, Jenny Telford, said the test is an essential part of ABS preparations to ensure the 2026 Census runs smoothly and delivers a positive, safe and secure experience.
“We are testing our collection processes and IT systems to ensure our processes work well and that the form captures the right information, in the right way,” Ms Telford said.
The ABS is also partnering with Services Australia to test a new option to access the Census through myGov.
Households can complete forms as soon as soon as instructions are received if residents know who will be home on Census Test night, Tuesday, August 5.
“Participation matters. By taking part, you’re helping us improve the next Census for everyone and ensure it produces high quality statistics,” Ms Telford said.
For more information, visit About the Census Test.
Not everyone in Test locations will be asked to participate in the Census Test.
If instructions are not received in the mail, there’s nothing needed to be done.
myGov users who subscribe to Census Test updates will receive a link in their myGov Inbox when it is time to complete the Census Test.
Participation in the Census Test is voluntary.
However, the ABS asks that everyone selected participates to ensure the Census Test reflects a broad cross-section of people and communities.
The locations for the Census Test were chosen using 2021 Census data.
THE ABS recently tested the approach in remote communities as part of this Test.
Selected households in Katherine surrounds, Northern Territory participated in the Test in June and early July.
Information provided in the Census Test is confidential. The ABS is legally required to keep data secure and not release information in a way that will identify any individual, household or business.
The data collected in the Census Test is for testing purposes and will not be released.
Following the outcome of the 2026 Census topic review, the ABS is making changes to questions for 10 existing topics in the 2026 Census, as well as including a new topic of ‘sexual orientation and gender’ for people aged 16 years and older.
These will be included in the Census Test.
Questions may be refined after the Census Test, with final questions for the 2026 Census to be published on the ABS website in late 2025.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
