Census controversy puts spotlight on LGBTIQ+ data

Australian government decision on identity questions sparks researcher calls for larger data sets

Academics and health experts have said it is critical that Australia collect detailed data on LGBTIQ+ communities in the national census, because the lack of large data sets has been a barrier to research.

The Australian government was criticised by researchers in late August after it moved away from a plan to include a range of questions about gender and sexual identity in the 2026 census.