2026 Census: Accessible Support Including Easy Read and Auslan
The Australian Census is happening on Tuesday 11 August 2026.
Everyone in Australia on Census night needs to be included. You can also complete the Census earlier once you receive your instructions, provided you know where you will be staying that night.
The ABS says it takes about 30 minutes to complete. You don't have to complete it all at once - you can save your progress.
Everyone completes the same Census. The ABS provides accessible formats and support so people can take part in the way that works best for them.
Why the Census matters
The Census provides a snapshot of the people, households and communities that make up Australia.
The information is used to help plan things like health care, transport, housing, education, infrastructure and local services. Census information about assistance with everyday activities also helps build a clearer picture of the support people may need in different communities.
The Census does not capture every experience of disability. It asks specific questions about whether someone ever needs another person to help them, or be with them, for:
- self care activities, such as eating, showering, dressing or toileting
- body movement activities, such as getting out of bed or moving around
- communication activities, such as understanding or being understood by other people
There's no particular answer someone should give because they are an NDIS participant. Each person should answer based on their own life and circumstances.
Census 2026 for people with disability
Households will receive either a letter or a paper form explaining how to complete the Census. People can also request a paper form or contact the Census team for help.
Accessible ways to take part
The ABS provides a range of accessible information, formats and support. People can choose the options that work best for them.
Accessible information and formats
- Easy Read Census factsheet
- Auslan videos and support
- Accessible online Census form, compatible with screen readers and speech recognition software
- Large print and braille forms
- Audio files for the Census questions
Help to complete the Census
- Support for people who are d/Deaf or find it hard to hear or speak, including the National Relay Service
- In-person form-filling sessions and Census support near you
- Language support, including help through the Translating and Interpreting Service
The Translating and Interpreting Service is available on 131 450.
For all available options in one place, visit the ABS page for people who need extra support and people living with disability.
What to expect at home
Some households will receive a paper form. Census field officers may also visit homes to deliver letters or forms, answer questions or follow up with households that have not completed the Census.
The instructions provided to each household will explain what to do. Arrangements may be different from one home to another.
For additional support, contact the Census team or call the Census Contact Centre on 1800 181 227.
Can someone help me complete the Census?
Yes. The ABS encourages people who need help to ask someone they trust. This could be a family member, friend, carer or assistant.
Support might include:
- reading the questions aloud
- helping you understand the instructions
- helping you access the online or paper form
- supporting you to communicate your answers
- typing or writing down information
- helping you contact the ABS
- checking and submitting the completed form with you
Where possible, the person helping should encourage and support you to provide or enter your own information.
If you're unable to answer a question, the ABS says you can provide as much information as you can.
They should support you to check the completed form where possible and keep your personal information confidential.
Completing the Census in a shared home
If you live with other people, often one person completes the household form. This may include people living with family or housemates, in Specialist Disability Accommodation or in another shared home.
You can ask to complete a separate Census form if you would prefer to answer privately. The Census Contact Centre can provide a separate Census number for the online form or arrange a paper form.
Generally, you complete the Census where you are staying on Census night. The ABS has different guidance for some situations, including working overnight.
What if an InLife assistant is working overnight?
If an InLife assistant is a paid support person on shift overnight at a client’s home and goes home when the shift ends, they should be included on the Census form at their usual residence.
This covers an InLife active or inactive overnight shift, provided the assistant goes home when their shift ends. The assistant should not also be included as a visitor on the client’s household form.
Is the Census connected to the NDIS?
The Census is run by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and is separate from the NDIS.
The ABS is legally required to keep identifiable Census information confidential. It does not share information from a Census form that could identify someone in the household with other government departments.
This means your individual Census responses are not provided to the NDIA to assess or change your NDIS eligibility, plan or funding.
You can learn more in the ABS 2026 Census Privacy Statement.
This is closer to the precise ABS wording: identifiable Census information is protected from disclosure outside the ABS and is not used for compliance or enforcement activities.
How InLife can support you
If you receive support from InLife, you can talk with your coordinator or support team about how you'd like to approach the Census.
You might choose to complete it independently, with a family member, with another person you trust or with support directly from the ABS.
If you ask an InLife team member for help, they can support you in the way that works for you. They'll make sure you've asked for, or agreed to, their help, use the communication methods that work for you and keep your information confidential.
Where to get help
For official information and accessible resources, visit:
You can also contact:
- Census Contact Centre: 1800 181 227
- National Relay Service
- Translating and Interpreting Service: 131 450
InLife clients can also speak with their coordinator about how they would like to approach the Census.
