Review of 2021 Census Topics

Response 996302041

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Topic name
The question "What is the person's religion?" should be replaced with "Does the person practice a religion?" followed by "No religion". The problem with the current question ("What is the person's religion?") assumes a religion.

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Ticked Religion
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Assessment Criteria 1

1. This topic is of current national importance.

National Importance
The question "What is the person's religion?" should be replaced with "Does the person practice a religion?" followed by "No religion". The problem with the current question ("What is the person's religion?") assumes a religion.


Knowing whether individuals practice a religion is nationally important for determining the strength of religious sentiment in Australia and useful for formulating policy positions, research, planning and potentially legislative purposes.

Assessment Criteria 2

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

For whole population
The question "Does the person practice a religion?" generates data that is relevant to all population groups in Australia. This information, when combined with the other questions related to religion collected in the Census, will enhance our picture of religion in Australia,

Assessment Criteria 3

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

Easy to answer
The question "Does the person practice a religion?" can be easily understood by respondents as it is a simple question requiring a quick and simple answer. The respondents will easily know the answer to the question.

Assessment Criteria 4

4. The topic would be acceptable to Census respondents.

Acceptable
The question "Does the person practice a religion?" will be acceptable to a wide range of groups, religious groups will gain a better understanding of religious practice and secular groups will better a better understanding of the strength of religious observance in Australia. The neutrality of the question and it's personal nature mean respondents are best placed to answer accurately.

Assessment Criteria 5

5. The topic can be collected efficiently.

Collected efficiently
The topic will not create significant coding or additional processes as it requires a yes or no answer. Because of the shortness of the question and response options, the inclusion of the question will not require a lengthy instruction or explanation and will not create additional costs.

Assessment Criteria 6

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

Continuing need
The question "Does the person practice a religion?" will provide ongoing relevant time series data.

Assessment Criteria 7

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

No alternatives
The information generated by the question "Does the person practice a religion?" is not comprehensively collected through existing data sources.

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