Review of 2021 Census Topics

Response 371835161

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Contact details

Who you are representing

Please select one item
(Required)
Commonwealth government department
State/territory government department
Local government
Business
Industry body/association
Community group
Educational institution
Ticked An individual
Other

What is your submission about?

Please provide a brief summary of your submission

Topic name
The religion question. I understand the 2021 submission will be electronic, so "page space" should be less of an issue. With a new format and with "No religion" reaching over 30% of respondents, it's time to stop using a question that implies people do, or should, follow a religion because it means the numbers "practicing" a religion will be over-reported and that has implications for political decision-making as well as services planning etc. I would like to see the question broken into two parts - first determine whether or not the person actually practices a religion, then if so ask which religion.

Choose your area of interest

Please select one item
(Required)
Population
Sex and gender
Households and families
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Income and work
Unpaid work and care
Education and training
Disability and carers
Housing
Location
Transport
Cultural diversity
Ticked Religion
Other topic

Assessment Criteria 1

1. This topic is of current national importance.

National Importance
Data is needed to support policy development, planning or program monitoring

Assessment Criteria 2

2. There is a need for data from a Census of the whole population.

For whole population
The value of the topic is enhanced through combining with other characteristics collected in the Census

Assessment Criteria 3

3. The topic can be accurately collected in a form which the household completes themselves.

Easy to answer
The topic is likely to be easily understood by respondents
The topic can be collected in a simple question or questions
Respondents will easily know the answer to the question(s)
The question(s) is easy and quick to answer

Assessment Criteria 4

4. The topic would be acceptable to Census respondents.

Acceptable
The question would remain optional, but a two step format should make it easier for some people to complete accurately.

Assessment Criteria 5

5. The topic can be collected efficiently.

Collected efficiently
The additional question will not present major difficulties for coding the information, require extensive processing, significantly add to the overall cost of the Census, require a lengthy instruction or explanation. It is a simple Yes/No.

Assessment Criteria 6

6. There is likely to be a continuing need for data on this topic in the following Census.

Continuing need
The topic is likely to remain relevant well into the future

Assessment Criteria 7

7. There are no other alternative data sources or solutions that could meet the topic need.

No alternatives
It's an existing topic, the prosal just clarifies the question and will improve accuracy.