On 11 August, millions of households across Australia will participate in the Census 2026. As the nationwide count approaches, members of the Indian Australian community are urging people to accurately record their ancestry and Hindi language details to ensure the community’s diversity and contributions are properly represented.
The Census provides a snapshot of Australia, with most households completing it online and paper forms available on request.
Census General Manager Jenny Telford said the 2026 Census would provide richer and more detailed insights, including the introduction of a new topic on gender and sexual orientation, as well as updates to existing questions to better reflect Australia’s evolving information needs.
“The 2026 Census will deliver richer insights, with the addition of a new topic on gender and sexual orientation, and updates to existing topics to meet emerging data needs,” Telford said.
Its about ‘identity and visiblity’
For many Indian Australians, the Census is not just about counting numbers but it is an opportunity to ensure the community is accurately represented in national data.
Tasmania-based community leader Satinder Bhola is encouraging people to accurately record both their ancestry and the languages they speak.
“We are encouraging our community to accurately record their ancestry and the languages they speak so that governments have a clear understanding of our population and can better plan services, such as language support and educational resources,” he said.
Queensland-based community leader Prerna Pahwa shared similar views, saying accurate Census data is essential to making the community visible in official statistics.
“It is highly important to record these details accurately to ensure our community’s visibility and help secure services that meet our needs, such as aged care, interpreter support and culturally appropriate health services,” she said.
Canberra resident Santosh Gupta, who is urging people to list Hindi as a language spoken at home, said the information collected through the Census has long-term benefits for multicultural communities.
“This information helps governments and organisations plan ongoing support and services for different language communities,” he said.
Former vice-president of the Indian Society of Western Australia (ISWA), Veeranna Sataraddi, also stressed the importance of participating in the Census.
“I believe the Census provides a true picture of Australia’s multicultural communities and how they are growing. It is important for the Indian community to complete the Census because it demonstrates our contribution to the country and how we are helping shape Australia’s future,” he said.
The information collected helps governments, businesses and community organisations plan essential services, including healthcare, aged care, education, transport and infrastructure.
According to ABS website, the Census is compulsory and everyone in Australia on Census night must be included on a Census form. This includes visitors and visa holders.
The last Census was held on 10 August 2021.
https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/2026-census-topics-and-data-release
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