Review of 2021 Census Topics: Close of public consultation

The ABS has closed its public consultation on 30 June 2018 and is currently reviewing the submissions received.

"We received more than 350 submissions through this public consultation process,” said Ms Caroline Deans, Director.

“Key areas of interest from the community were regarding the Census collection of information on Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples, gender, health and transport.”

“We are grateful to our data users, peak bodies, organisations, Government departments and individual community members for their views on the most useful information to collect in the 2021 Census.

“In terms of next steps, we will be undertaking targeted stakeholder engagement and an extensive testing process to refine options and understand the quality impacts of changes,” Ms Deans said.

The ABS will publish a paper summarising the preliminary topic recommendations emerging from the consultation in late 2018. Discussions will continue with data users as the recommendations are further developed and refined.

Recommendations for the topics to be collected by the 2021 Census will then be submitted for a decision by the Australian Government. Refinement and finalisation of the content will continue and a final decision will be published prior to the 2021 Census.

For more information about the review of 2021 Census topics go to www.abs.gov.au/census-consult.