The Federal Government has confirmed sexual orientation questions will, for the first time, be asked in the next Census, but the topic of sexual transition will not be canvased.
Federal Competition, Charities and Treasury Assistant Minister Andrew Leigh said a new topic of “sexual orientation and gender” would be included in the 2026 Census.
Dr Leigh said this would allow the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to ask questions on sexual orientation and gender for the first time.
He said these questions would only be asked of people aged 16 and over people would have the option not to answer.
“The new topic reflects consultation with the ABS’s LGBTIQ+ Expert Advisory Committee, including key peak bodies in the sector.”
Dr Leigh said the ABS did not recommend a topic on variations of sex characteristics (intersex status) in the Census, and it would not be included.
He said although this topic was considered by the ABS, testing indicated high quality data could not be collected due to the technical complexity of the topic.
“The government will continue to work with the intersex community about ways of gathering information in other ABS surveys.”
He said the Government would make a legislative instrument to implement these changes, and would introduce this instrument before the end of the year.
