Phase one 2026 Census privacy recommendations released

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has today published the independent findings of the first phase of the 2026 Census Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA), along with its response.

The PIA reviewed how the ABS will collect, manage and use personal information in the Census. 

The ABS has agreed with all the recommendations. Recommendations will be implemented as Census preparations continue.

Duncan Young, ABS head of Census, said: “Protecting people’s privacy is a key priority for us, so we welcome these insights and will include them in planning for the 2026 Census.

"The ABS is using a privacy-by-design approach for the 2026 Census. This means that we consider people's privacy at every stage of our preparations.

“The recommendations are aligned to areas of current Census focus, including the importance of community consultation, the careful use of administrative data and always considering the potential impact on public trust when making decisions on how we manage and share Census data.”

IIS Partners (Information Integrity Solutions) conducted the Phase 1 PIA. The report and ABS response are available on the ABS website at abs.gov.au.

More information

• The Census will be held in 2026, providing a snapshot of who we are and telling the story of how we are changing. It is one of the ABS' largest and most important statistical collections.
• The ABS is undertaking a phased approach to the PIAs for the 2026 Census:
  o    Phase 1 – Preparation, planning and development (2023) undertaken by IIS Partners. 
  o    Phase 2 – Build and design (2024).
  o    Phase 3 – Testing operational readiness (2025).
• The 2026 Census will take a 'Privacy by design' and 'Security by design' approach. The ABS ensures good privacy practices are built into the design specifications when setting up new systems and processes. A critical part of privacy by design is understanding and minimising privacy impacts or risks for individuals.