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24/07/2026

The Faith Communities Council of Victoria has issued the following statement on the Religion Question in the Upcoming 2026 Census:

Why the 2026 Census Religion Question Matters

A Briefing for Victorian Faith Communities

Introduction

On Tuesday 11 August 2026, Australians will complete the national Census. Conducted every five years, the Census provides an important snapshot of Australia's population and helps inform government planning, funding and policy for years to come.

For faith communities, one question deserves particular attention:

“What is the person's religion?”

Although answering this question is optional, the information collected has significant implications for how Australia's religious diversity is understood and recognised.

Why does it matter?

Religion data from the Census is used by governments, researchers and community organisations to:

• understand Australia's changing religious landscape;
• plan education, health and community services;
• support chaplaincy in hospitals, prisons, schools and the ADF;
• inform aged care and multicultural services;
• assist local councils in planning community facilities;
• support academic research and public policy; and
• better understand the needs of faith communities across Australia.
  
  The Census is one of the few nationwide sources of reliable information about Australia's religious diversity.

The 2026 Census

Following extensive consultation, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) decided to retain the same religion question used in the 2021 Census:

“What is the person's religion?”

The ABS concluded that keeping the existing question allows meaningful comparisons with previous Censuses while making several improvements to the instructions and processing of responses.

These improvements include:

• clearer instructions encouraging people to use the write-in box where appropriate;
• updated examples reflecting Australia's religious diversity;
• revised ordering of response categories; and
• improved processing so that more specific religious affiliations are recorded where provided.

Completing the question accurately

The Faith Communities Council of Victoria encourages people simply to answer the question truthfully and accurately, according to their own religious identity.

If you belong to a faith tradition or denomination, consider identifying it as specifically as possible where appropriate. Accurate responses help ensure that Australia's religious diversity is reflected faithfully in the national statistics.

A shared responsibility
Australia is one of the world's most religiously diverse nations. The Census provides an opportunity to recognise that diversity and to ensure that future planning reflects the communities that make up our society.

Whatever your faith—or whether you have no religion—accurate Census responses contribute to a clearer understanding of contemporary Australia.

 Faith Communities Council of Victoria (FCCV) is comprised of the following peak bodies: Baha'i Community of Victoria, Brahma Kumaris Australia, Buddhist Council of Victoria, Hindu Council of Australia (Victoria), Islamic Council of Victoria, Jain Council of Victoria, Jewish Community Council of Victoria, Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria and Victorian Council of Churches.