澳大利亚2026年人口普查将引入重大改变，新增关于性别认同和性取向的两个问卷问题[1]。16岁以上人士在回答性别认同时，可选择男性、女性、非二元性别或其他术语[1]；在性取向方面，则可选直性恋、男同性恋或女同性恋、双性恋或其他术语[1]。此外，祖先血统问题的回答范围也从两个选项扩展至四个[1]。
LGBTQI+权益组织普遍欢迎这一举措。LGBTQI+ Health Australia首席执行官Nicky Bath表示，"对许多人来说，在普查中勾选这些框非常重要，这涉及验证和我们作为社区重要成员被看见"[1]。Equality Australia首席执行官Anna Brown指出，"如果我们没有被计算，我们就在塑造我们生活决定的数据中保持不可见状态"[1]。
澳大利亚统计局还新增了自行车（包括电动自行车）作为上班交通工具的选项，该选项于8月11日启用[1]。普查所收集的数据将从2027年6月开始分三个阶段发布[1]。
Australia's upcoming 2026 Census will introduce significant changes to its questionnaire, adding two new questions focused on gender identity and sexual orientation for the first time.[1] Respondents aged 16 and older will be able to select from options including male, female, non-binary, or other terms when answering the gender identity question.[1] For sexual orientation, respondents can choose from heterosexual, gay or lesbian, bisexual, or other terms.[1]
Beyond these additions, the Census will also expand the ancestry question, increasing response options from two to four choices.[1] A new commuting option has been introduced as well, with bicycles—including e-bikes—now available as a transport method to work, effective from August 11.[1] Census data will be released in three phases beginning in June 2027.[1]
LGBTQI+ advocacy organizations have welcomed the changes as a historic step forward. According to Nicky Bath, CEO of LGBTQI+ Health Australia, "For many people, being able to tick these boxes in the Census is really important—it's about validation and being seen as important members of our community."[1] Anna Brown, CEO of Equality Australia, emphasized the significance of data representation, stating: "If we're not being counted, we remain invisible in the data that shapes the decisions made about our lives."[1]