A census collects information about people living in a particular area and includes details of sex, age, income, employment, housing, religion and more. The first national census was conducted in 1911, and censuses are sent to households every five years.
People were invited to participate from July to September 2021. More than 96 per cent of Australian dwellings completed the Census. This is an increase from 2016 Census and above our target.
The library holds a wide range of data from earlier Australian census in CD-ROM, print and/or microfilm format. Use Library SEARCH to locate hardcopy sources.
Use this tool to create tables, graphs and maps of census data. Tables can be created and stored for reuse and manipulation. You can register to use TableBuilder and other ABS products. Use your organisation email address to automatically join your organisation in the Registration Centre.
Australian datasets and surveys for researchers
To access these datasets you need to register and apply as an individual researcher.
The Federal Department of Social Services makes available via the NCLD four major Australian longitudinal studies:
- The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey
- Growing up in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC)
- Footprints in Time: The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC)
- Building a New Life in Australia (BNLA): The Longitudinal Study of Humanitarian Migrants
