Census 2026 - Every Answer Matters
Every Answer Matters – Australia’a diversity is one of our greatest strengths – but only if it’s counted.
The 2026 Census is on Tuesday 11 August and we’re calling on every member of our multicultural communities to take part.
The Census is how the government and service providers understand who we are, where we live, what languages we speak, and what our communities need.
FECCA works with ethnic communities across health, aged care, education, and social services. Census data is how we make sure our diversity is reflected in evidence government use to make decisions around service delivery.
When multicultural Australians don’t participate our communities become invisible in the data – and invisible in the decisions that shape our lives.
Census data informs funding for settlement services, community language programs, healthcare, housing and local infrastructure.
When everyone is included in the Census, we can help plan for every community.
From regional towns to inner-cities, coastal communities to remote townships – every answer matters.
Some examples of how the Census can influence our day-to-day lives include:
– Bringing new/more health care, education and transport services to those who need it.
– Data on languages spoken in a community could help in-language books be placed in local libraries.
– The cultural backgrounds of a region could mean speciality foods are stocked in supermarkets.
and lots more!
In 2026 you can also report up to four ancestries – more than ever before. This is your opportunity to have your full identity seen and counted.
We know that trust in government systems can be a barrier, particularly for communities with experiences of trauma or displacement. That’s why it’s important to know: your Census information is protected by law.
It cannot be shared with any government department, law enforcement body, or any commercial organisation. Ever.
What has not been counted does not count. Make sure your community is seen.
What is the Census?
Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics counts every person and household in Australia.
The Census asks questions about things like your age, country of birth, cultural background, work and education.
How is the Census data used?
Census data helps us understand how Australia is changing, and what we need now and in the future.
It shapes the services people use every day, like health care, education, public transport and community services.
Need help understanding and completing the Census?
Resources have been created to help us reach people in Australia from multicultural backgrounds.
Visit census.abs.gov.au for more information or call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450.
There are lots of ways to fill out the Census including online or with help from the Census team. In-person help is also available in several ways:
– Pop-up Hubs
Pop-up Hubs are desks or stalls set up in public places, such as shopping centres, where you can get information about the Census, collect a paper form, and get help to complete the Census.
– Fill in the form sessions
Fill in the form sessions are held to provide assistance with answering the questions on the Census form. These sessions may also be run in different languages or for community groups.
– Information sessions
Information sessions explain what the Census is, why it matters and how to complete it. They also include time for questions. Support in languages other than English is available at some Fill in the form sessions, Information sessions and Pop-up Hubs.
– Remote communities
Census staff will visit remote communities from July to September 2026 to help people participate in the Census. Where possible, they’ll be people who live in the community.
SBS Australia has produced a special “Australia Explained” episode with everything you need to know about completing the Census for your household, including an interview with FECCA Chair, Peter Doukas OAM.
The episode and information is available in Arabic, Chinese (traditional and simplified), Greek, Maltese, Thai, Tibetan, Tingrinya, Urdu and Vietnamese via the dropdown menu here.
2026 Census – Explainer video
The short video above is also also available in:
– Arabic
– Dari
– English
– Greek
– Italian
– Khmer
– Korean
– Punjabi
– Simplified Chinese
– Spanish
– Thai
– Traditional Chinese
– Turkish
– Urdu
– Vietnamese
Download and share the video in your language from here.
This clear, simple factsheet explains what the Census is, why it matters, and how to take part.
Also available in:
– Arabic
– Dari
– English
– Greek
– Italian
– Khmer
– Korean
– Punjabi
– Simplified Chinese
– Spanish
– Thai
– Traditional Chinese
– Turkish
– Urdu
– Vietnamese
Download the fact sheet here.
Have more questions?
We’re here to help. Email – admin@fecca.org,au
