2026 Census
Everything your organisation needs to prepare
The 2026 Census takes place on 11 August. The Census is conducted every five years and provides the most comprehensive data on Australia’s population.
Why the Census matters for aged care
Census data on older Australians shapes aged care funding, workforce planning, housing policy and health service delivery.
Ensuring older people are supported to participate and that residential aged care organisations are supported to accurately count residents in their care, strengthens the evidence base for our sector.
Ageing Australia’s role in the Census
Ageing Australia uses a data-informed approach to policy and advocacy, and the Census is foundational to that work.
We are partnering with the ABS to make sure you have the resources to promote the Census to your community.
Table of contents
All providers
If you manage or work for residential aged care, retirement living, seniors housing, home care, community care and related services, the Census has practical implications for your operations and your community.
The ABS has resources to help you understand the process, communicate with your workforce and residents and access ready-to-use promotional materials.
Retirement villages, residential care and hospitals
Information about completing the Census if you’re living or staying in a retirement village, residential care or hospital on Census night.
Useful Census resources, including factsheets and information on how we support all communities.
Download the ABS stakeholder kit.
Ready-to-use resources to share with your community, including posters, social media tiles and information sheets.
Not sure where to start?
Visit the ABS help centre to find the right information for your situation.
Residential aged care providers
If you manage a residential aged care home, the Census has a dedicated process specifically for your setting – separate from the general community enumeration.
What you need to know:
- The ABS contacts your residential aged care home directly with information about Census night and what’s required.
- Residential aged care managers coordinate with ABS field staff to ensure all residents are included.
- Care staff help residents understand the Census and access the right format for them.
- Residents complete their form online, on paper or with in-person support.
- ABS field staff collect or confirm completion. Any outstanding residents are followed up.
There are people within your community for whom the Census has developed additional resources. This includes carers, people who speak a language other than English and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people in the LGBTIQ+ community. Below is information you can send on to your community to help them prepare.
Retirement villages, residential care and hospitals
Information about completing the Census if you’re living or staying in a retirement village, residential care or hospital on Census night.
Carers
The ABS has resources to help both carers and the person they care for to participate.
Accessible formats are available for people who need support completing their form, including easy-read information sheets, large print and braille forms, Auslan videos, and in-person assistance.
What you need to know:
- Everyone in Australia is counted individually in the Census – including the person you care for.
- You can support someone to complete their form, but each person has their own Census response.
- In-person assistance can be arranged if needed.
Get help to complete your form including accessible format information guides and forms.
Information for people who need extra support and people living with disability
Help completing a Census form.
Information about how to complete your Census online or on paper.
People who speak a language other than English
The ABS provides Census information and support in many languages.
What is available:
- In-language Census resources covering key information and how to complete the form.
- Plain English resources for those who prefer simpler language.
- Posters and promotional materials available for providers to share with their workforce.
Language support
Get support in your preferred language to help complete the Census.
Information for migrants
Information to support migrants to complete the Census and how to access translated information.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
The ABS has specialist resources and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including those in rural and remote communities.
Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Information to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to complete the Census and understand how Census data supports communities.
Questions or need tailored support?
Can’t find what you’re looking for? The ABS Census help centre has information covering all situations and needs.
Help and support
Information and resources to help you complete your Census.
Blind, low vision, including braille
Learn more about accessing support if you are blind or have low vision.
Accessible formats available:
- easy-read information sheets
- large print forms
- braille forms
- auslan videos
- in-person assistance – just ask your care worker or facility staff.
Concerned about a suspicious contact or message about the Census?
Find out how to identify Census misinformation and protect yourself and your residents.
Please note that Ageing Australia does not own the content on external websites. This page is designed to help you quickly navigate to the relevant materials to support you with the 2026 Census.
