Census 2026

How to Complete the Religion Question on the Upcoming Census

With the Census arriving on Tuesday, 11 August, church leadership has shared an important message regarding how we respond to the religion question.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) clarifies that this question measures religious affiliation—the faith community you align or associate with—rather than how frequently you attend services.

Why Selecting "Anglican" Matters

While our primary identity is always found in Jesus, the Archbishop encourages anyone who attends or connects with an Anglican church to check the "Anglican" box rather than writing a generic label such as "Christian."

Accurate reporting ensures our community is properly represented. The government relies on Census data to make key decisions around policy and resourcing, including funding for hospital, school, and prison chaplaincy. Choosing a generic term inadvertently undercounts our church family and impacts these crucial services.

Learn More

To hear a helpful breakdown on how the religion question works and why accurate representation matters, check out this short episode from The Pastor's Heart:

🎙️ Watch the Interview: Filling in the Census Accurately (featuring Bishop Michael Stead and demographer Mark McCrindle).

Please keep this recommendation in mind as you fill out your Census form this week.

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