Lyla Lindsey
Australia conducts a population census every five years. The last census was conducted on 10 August 2021, and the next census is scheduled for 2026. Australia's first census was held in November 1828 in New South Wales, then a British colony. The census is compulsory for all people in Australia, excluding foreign diplomats and their families. Census data is used to inform decision-making in various sectors, including government, business, and community organizations. It provides insights into the country's economic, social, and cultural makeup and helps allocate funding, determine electoral boundaries, and plan infrastructure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the last census | 10 August 2021 |
| Next census date | 2026 |
| Frequency | Every five years |
| Compulsory | Yes, for all people in Australia on census night, excluding foreign diplomats and their families |
| Topics | Age, country of birth, religion, ancestry, language used at home, work, education, long-term health conditions, service in the Australian Defence Force, etc. |
| First census | November 1828 in New South Wales |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's first census was held in 1828
Australia's first census was held in November 1828 in New South Wales, which was a British colony at the time. Previous government statistical reports had been taken from "musters", where only white immigrants were counted. The 1828 census, however, aimed to record all inhabitants of the colony, including convicts. This census recorded a total population of 36,598, including 20,870 settlers and 15,728 convicts. It also revealed that 23.8% of the population were born in the colony and 24.5% were women.
The religious composition of the colony was also captured in the census, with 25,248 Protestants and 11,236 Catholics recorded. Other religions such as Quakers, Mohammedans, Hindus, and Pagans were also present in smaller numbers. The census provides a fascinating snapshot of life in early colonial Australia, with several notable individuals and their descendants listed in the records.
It is worth noting that Indigenous Australians were not included in the 1828 census. In fact, when Australia federated in 1901, the Constitution included a provision (Section 127) that specifically excluded Aboriginal persons from being counted in the census. This provision was removed in 1967 through a referendum that approved amendments to the Constitution relating to Indigenous Australians.
The first national census of Australia was conducted in 1911, and it has been held regularly every five years since. The census collects key demographic, social, and economic data from all people in Australia, including overseas visitors and residents of Australian external territories.
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The 2021 census counted over 25 million people
Australia's population census has been conducted since 1828, when the country was still a British colony. The 2021 census counted over 25 million people (25,422,788 to be precise), excluding overseas visitors. This represented an increase of over 2 million people since the 2016 census, and the Australian population has more than doubled in the last 50 years.
The census provides a wealth of information about the nation, including cultural diversity, family structures, and homes. It also reveals how the country has changed over time, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 census showed that Australia is a "fast-changing, growing, and culturally diverse nation". Over half of Australians are first or second-generation migrants, and the number of people using a language other than English at home increased by nearly 800,000 since 2016, to a total of over 5.5 million people.
The 2021 census also revealed that the number of one-parent families exceeded one million for the first time, with four out of five of those parents being female. The number of couple families counted was over 5.5 million, with slightly more of these couples having children than not. The census also showed that the number of Millennials in Australia has increased to match the number of Baby Boomers, with each group comprising over 5.4 million people.
The census in Australia has a history of excluding or segregating Indigenous Australians in its data. When Australia became a federation in 1901, the constitution stated that Aboriginal persons should not be included in population calculations for states and territories. While this related to parliamentary representation rather than the census, it was widely believed that Aboriginal persons were not included in censuses before 1967. Since then, the Australian Bureau of Statistics has considered Torres Strait Islanders as a separate Indigenous group.
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The next census is due in 2026
Australia's first census was held in November 1828 in New South Wales, which was a British colony at the time. The most recent census took place on 10 August 2021. The next census is due in 2026, and planning is already underway.
The Australian census is governed by the Census and Statistics Act 1905 and occurs every five years. It is a comprehensive survey that includes every person and household in the country. The census is important because it provides a detailed snapshot of the country and tells the story of how Australia is changing. It helps to understand the economic, social, and cultural make-up of the country and informs decisions about funding allocation, electoral boundaries, and planning for transport, schools, roads, housing, and health.
The census form asks questions about age, country of birth, religion, ancestry, language used at home, work, and education. It is compulsory for all people in Australia on census night, except for foreign diplomats and their families. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) makes recommendations to the government on the topics to be included in the census, and these are approved by the federal parliament. For example, the 2021 census included questions about long-term health conditions and service in the Australian Defence Force.
The ABS collects census data in several ways, including letters, paper forms, and visits to households. Households complete the census form and submit it online or by mail. The ABS also travels to various places where people stay on census night, including hospitals, hotels, houseboats, camping grounds, caravans, ski lodges, school camps, retirement villages, and residential colleges. Ensuring that everyone is counted is essential to reflect Australia's diversity and the diverse lifestyles of its population.
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The census is compulsory for all in Australia
Australia's first census was held in November 1828 in New South Wales, which was a British colony at the time. The census has been conducted regularly since 1901, when the first national census was developed by the Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics. The census that took place on 10 August 2021 was the eighteenth national census. The next census is scheduled for 2026.
The census can be completed online or through paper forms available on request. The 2021 census had a response rate of 96.1%, up from 95.1% in 2016. The 2021 census was undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic and provided a clear snapshot of how the pandemic impacted Australian society.
The ABS is not allowed to release any personally identifiable census data to any government, private or individual entity. The Census and Statistics Act 1905 and Privacy Act 1988 prohibit the release of personal information in a way that can identify a person or business. The ABS protects personal information primarily through anonymisation of data. Personal information is stored separately from other census data, and names are mutated into anonymised codes.
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The census collects data on cultural and ethnic groups
Australia conducts a census every five years, with the last one held on 10 August 2021 and the next one scheduled for 2026. The census collects data on various topics, including cultural and ethnic groups. This data collection is essential for understanding the country's cultural and social makeup and planning for the future.
The classification of cultural and ethnic groups in the Australian census is based on geographic origin and the similarity of social and cultural characteristics. This classification is specific to Australian needs and was developed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The ABS uses a self-perceived group identification approach, where individuals self-assess their association with particular cultural or ethnic groups.
Historically, the inclusion of Indigenous Australians in the census has been inconsistent and marked by exclusionary practices. At the first census in 1911, only Aboriginal persons living near white settlements were counted, and those of 50% or more non-Aboriginal descent were included in the main population tables. Separate tables were used for Aboriginal persons of more than 50% Aboriginal descent. Since 1967, the ABS has considered Torres Strait Islanders as a separate Indigenous group.
The 2021 census revealed that over two-thirds (72.4%) of Australian residents were born in Australia, while over a quarter (27.6%) were born overseas. England was the most common birthplace after Australia, followed by India, which surpassed China and New Zealand. The census also collects data on language use at home, providing insights into the linguistic diversity of different cultural and ethnic groups.
The ABS recognises the importance of including all individuals in the census to reflect Australia's diversity. They make efforts to reach diverse populations, including Fly in Fly out (FIFO) workers, defence personnel, shift workers, seasonal workers, people sleeping rough, remote communities, overseas travellers, international students, and more. By collecting data from various types of residences, the ABS ensures that everyone has the opportunity to be counted.
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Frequently asked questions
The first Australian census was held in November 1828 in New South Wales, which was a British colony at the time.
The population census is conducted once every five years.
The last population census in Australia was on Tuesday, 10 August 2021.
The next population census in Australia is expected to be held in 2026.
The population census in Australia is conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
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