2026 Australian Census — Temporary Visa Holders Must Take Part Too: How to Complete It, Fines and Privacy
Everyone in Australia on census night in August 2026 must take part. Temporary visa holders — including international students and working holiday makers — are not exempt, and by law the personal information you submit is never provided to Home Affairs or any other agency.
What the 2026 Australian Census is — the population count that comes around every five years
The Census is a count of the entire population and housing conducted every five years by the ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics), with the next one taking place in August 2026 (check the official ABS announcement for the exact census night date). The results underpin the allocation of community funding for schools, hospitals, public transport, interpreting services and more. In other words, by taking part you help prove statistically what services your area needs. Participation is a legal obligation under the Census and Statistics Act.
Who has to take part — everyone in Australia on census night
The Census counts everyone in Australia on census night, regardless of nationality or visa. It includes not only citizens and permanent residents but also temporary visa holders — international students, working holiday makers, work visa holders and visitors. 'It doesn't apply to me because I'm a foreigner' is the most common misconception. For details on exactly who is included (such as short-term tourists), check the official ABS guidance.
How to take part — online by default, with paper, phone and multilingual support
The default way to take part is one online submission per household. Ahead of the Census, each household receives a letter containing a unique code, which you enter at census.abs.gov.au to complete the form. If online is difficult, alternatives such as requesting a paper form, phone support and in-person help from field staff are available. Information materials are translated into many languages, and you can get help in your own language via the telephone interpreting service TIS National (131 450).
If you live in a share house — how the 'household' form works
Share houses follow the same principle: completion at the household level — one person completes the household form on everyone's behalf, including all people at the home on census night. If you don't want housemates to see your personal answers, each person can request a personal form and complete it separately.
- Keep the unique code from your letter safe — it's the key to online submission (it can be reissued if lost)
Legal obligation and fines — what happens if you put it off
Census participation is a legal obligation under the Census and Statistics Act. If you continue not to submit, reminders and field visits are followed by a Notice of Direction (a written direction), and if you still don't submit after that, fines that accrue on a daily basis may be imposed. Deliberately providing false information can also attract a fine. Specific fine amounts and enforcement criteria may change over time, so check the official ABS website.
- The non-submission process runs in order: reminders → Notice of Direction → daily accruing fines
- Deliberate false answers can also be fined — check items you're unsure about via the help notes or phone support before answering
What about my situation? — four cases by visa and stay type
Whatever your type of stay, the principle is the same — if you're in Australia on census night, you're required to take part. Here are the four most commonly asked situations.
Student visa holders (such as subclass 500) must take part. Complete the form based on where you actually stay on census night — dorm, homestay or share house; facilities such as student accommodation follow the facility's instructions.
Working holiday visa holders (subclass 417/462) must also take part. Even if you move around often, you're counted at the backpackers or farm accommodation where you sleep that night.
If you're staying on a temporary work visa (such as subclass 482 or 485) or a partner visa, you and all family members living with you must be included on the household form. Children are no exception.
Even on a visitor visa, if you're in Australia on census night you're generally counted (check the official ABS guidance for details such as short-term tourists). Guests at hotels and other accommodation take part as directed by the facility.
Privacy protection — why you're safe regardless of visa status
The question that worries foreigners most is 'won't my information be passed to immigration?' The answer is that this is prohibited by law. The Census and Statistics Act makes secrecy a statutory duty for the ABS, and it applies to every respondent regardless of visa status.
- ABS staff are bound by a lifelong legal duty of secrecy; breaches carry criminal penalties including fines and imprisonment
- Identifiable personal information is never provided to any agency — not Home Affairs, the ATO or the police
- Answers are used for statistical purposes only, and published statistics are released only in forms that cannot identify individuals
Watch out — impersonation scams and 5 common misconceptions
During the Census period, impersonation scams exploiting it increase. Typical tactics are 'pay your fine immediately' texts and fake survey links demanding bank or card details. The ABS does not request fine payments or bank details by text or email. If something seems suspicious, report it to Scamwatch.
- The 'I'm a foreigner so it doesn't apply to me' misconception — if you're in Australia on census night, you must take part regardless of your visa
- 'Pay your fine now' texts and emails — the ABS does not request fine payments or bank/card details by text. Do not click the links
Useful official links
- ABS Census (호주통계청 센서스)(opens in a new window)
The starting point for official information on the 2026 Census — dates, who is counted and the questions asked.
- Census 온라인 제출 포털(opens in a new window)
The official online portal where you log in with the unique code from your letter to complete and submit the Census.
- ABS Privacy (개인정보 보호)(opens in a new window)
The official page explaining the ABS's statutory duty of secrecy and its privacy protection principles.
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