Inside the 'woke' changes coming for the Australian census - what you need to know

Published: 08:02, 24 July 2026 | Updated: 08:05, 24 July 2026 Australians will be asked about their sexual orientation for the first time in next month's census - but will no longer be quizzed how many children they've had.  Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) census gives a comprehensive snapshot of population growth, housing and evolving demographics.  In one of the biggest changes in its history, the wording of the gender question will now ask for a person's 'sex recorded at birth'.  And Australians aged 16 and over will also be asked questions about their sexual orientation for the first time, including their sexual identity and attraction.  Australians can also now list up to four ancestries on their census form instead of two, which the ABS says will help people with 'more complex family backgrounds'.  The census will also ditch the question on 'number of children ever born'. The question is now being restricted to every second census and will next return in 2031.  The ABS says the changes are designed to better capture Australia's growing cultural diversity as well as provide valuable insights into the experiences of LGBTQ+ Australians.  But the tweaks have sparked fears among some demographers that the nation might lose the ability to track childless women, single-child families and family sizes.  Australians will be asked about their sexual orientation for the first time in next month's census - but will no longer be quizzed how many children they've had  Social analyst and demographer Mark McCrindle told news.com.au the debate risked overshadowing the census's purpose. 'That would be disappointing because the census is such an important tool for Australians and has always been free of politics,' he said. 'This is coming at a time when there is a broader reassessment of culture and identity, so it will certainly be interesting to see how it plays out in the national conversation.' The next census will take place on August 11 and must be completed by everyone in Australia, including citizens, permanent residents, international visitors, students and people on temporary visas. Households have already started receiving instructions on how to complete their census form, and those who fail to comply can face a fine.