Census data feedback survey

As part of our preparation for the 2026 Census, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) have been actively seeking feedback to inform the design of the 2026 Census data products and outputs to ensure our products continue to meet the needs of data users. Part of our consultation process included an online survey, which was available on select Census pages of the ABS website and targeted towards Census data users. The survey ran from 10 October 2023 to 11 December 2023 and focused on understanding data needs, how Census data is used and collecting feedback on existing Census data products.  

The ABS received survey submissions from over 150 users. Feedback was received from multiple levels of government, businesses, community groups, academics, educators and individuals. The feedback we received was diverse and insightful - it highlighted the importance of Census data products and the need for continuous improvement to meet the evolving needs of users. Some key points from the feedback include:

• QuickStats and TableBuilder are the most popular products among Census data users.
• Users find QuickStats easy to use and a good starting point for data queries. They appreciate the format, the ability to start a new search from the results page and the extent of geographies available. Users would like to see more data here however, and the ability to download tables.
• Users appreciate the customisation and granularity of data available through TableBuilder, however find the loss of functionality to preview a table burdensome.
• Community Profiles are mostly used for validation purposes and when QuickStats detail is exhausted. Users appreciate the menu page and uniform layout. Users find the specifics of the tables often don’t meet their needs.
• DataPacks users appreciate the means and medians made available and the design of this product that make it suitable for coding and use in other software. However, users note the formatting is daunting when trying to examine data themselves and downloading files separately time-consuming.

In response to the feedback, we are currently reviewing our products to ensure they continue to meet the needs of our users. We have reached out to selected users who expressed interest in further consultation and will continue to do so as we move towards the release of 2026 Census data in mid-2027.

While our recommendations and prototyping are still being formalised, we want to assure participants that your feedback is shaping our decision-making process. We are committed to releasing quality data products and appreciate the time and effort users have taken to engage with us. Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement. We look forward to sharing more updates with you as we progress towards 2026 Census data release.

Any questions?

Please email census.data@abs.gov.au with any questions on this consultation or for further information.