We need to count all LGBTIQA+ Australians in our 2026 national Census.
In August 2024 the federal government announced that it would not be changing the topics for the next census, despite the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) including gender, sexual orientation and variations of sex characteristics in the proposed shortlist.
This is despite years of consultation by government with LGBTIQA+ communities, resulting in the national Standard for Sex, Gender, Variations of Sex Characteristics and Sexual Orientation Variables, 2020 that standardises the collection and dissemination of data relating to sex, gender, variations of sex characteristics and sexual orientation.
After a quick and effective response from our communities and allies, the federal government announced that questions capturing sexual orientation and gender identity will be included in Census 2026.
Yet intersex people, or people born with innate variations of sex characteristics, will not be counted in 2026.
We need all LGBTIQA+ Australians to be counted to secure much needed information on the health and wellbeing of people born with innate variations of sex characteristics.
We understand Intersex Human Rights Australia, LGBTIQA+ Health Australia and Equality Australia continue to work with the federal government and Australian Bureau of Statistics to ensure intersex people are also counted in 2026.
What’s happening on this issue?
Response from Senator Karen Grogan (ALP)
Response from Amanda Rishworth (ALP)
We co-signed Equality Australia’s joint statement
Response from Mark Butler (ALP)
