DCA made a submission to the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the 2026 Census Topic Consultation, Phase One, in April 2023. This submission is for Phase Two of the Census Topic Consultation which supports the inclusion of a question asking respondents to describe their cultural background to replace the current questions about ancestry.
DCA’s submissions welcome the opportunity for the next Census to collect better data on cultural background and LGBTIQ+ communities. Our research shows that these identities can have a profound impact on individuals’ experiences of inclusion or exclusion at work.
Cultural Background
In the Phase One DCA submission, we recommended that the ABS consider replacing the current Census questions about ancestry with DCA’s first core measure from our Counting Culture research:
“How would you describe your cultural background? Your cultural background is the cultural/ethnic group(s) to which you feel you belong or identify. This background may be the same as your parents, grandparents, or your heritage, or it may be the country you were born in or have spent a great amount of time in, or you feel more closely tied to.”
DCA believes this measure is an accurate and respectful way to understand the cultural diversity of the Australian community.
In the Phase Two DCA submission, we welcomed the ABS consideration of including ethnic identity in the Census 2026. We reiterated our recommendation from Phase One, to replace the current Census questions about ancestry with DCA’s first core measure from Counting Culture (above).
DCA also provided some case examples demonstrating that collection of data on cultural background will assist many organisations, large and small, to benchmark their progress in diversity and inclusion initiatives. It will provide useful data to further develop programs that will contribute to a more inclusive and harmonious Australia.
Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Variations of Sex Characteristics
In Phase One, DCA strongly supported the inclusion of questions on sexual orientation, gender identity and variations of sex characteristics in the Census. Our research shows that these identities have a significant impact on the way people experience inclusion and exclusion at work (Inclusion@Work Index 2021-2022). Collecting accurate data on LGBTIQ+ communities in the Census will enable policies that support LGBTIQ+ people and promote inclusion in workplaces and in the community more broadly.
To this end, DCA will be represented on the ABS LGBTQI+ Expert Advisory Committee soon to be established. In our Phase Two submission, DCA acknowledged that gendered language and other issues impacting LGBTIQ+ communities are very complex and that the ABS considers the advice to be provided by the LGBTQI+ Expert Advisory Committee.
DCA therefore made the following recommendations:
1. DCA recommends that the ABS adopt Recommendation 1 from the DCA Phase 1 submission which was to consider replacing the current Census questions about ancestry, with DCA’s first core measure from Counting Culture:
“How would you describe your cultural background? Your cultural background is the cultural/ethnic group(s) to which you feel you belong or identify. This background may be the same as your parents, grandparents, or your heritage, or it may be the country you were born in or have spent a great amount of time in, or you feel more closely tied to.”
2. DCA recommends that the ABS take note of these case examples of collecting data on cultural background and likely impacts should the Census 2026 replace the current question about ancestry with the question on cultural background as per Recommendation 1.
3. DCA acknowledges that gendered language and other issues impacting on LGBTQI+ communities are very complex and strongly suggests that the ABS considers the advice to be provided by the LGBTQI+ Expert Advisory Committee soon to be established. DCA is represented on this committee. DCA supports the inclusion of questions on sexual orientation, gender identity and variations of sex characteristics in the Census.