Australian Muslim body urges full participation in 2026 Census

SYDNEY, Australia (MNTV) — Australian Muslim organizations are urging everyone who identifies as Muslim to take part in the 2026 Census and record their religion and ancestry accurately, arguing the national count will shape future government services, funding, and representation, according to AMUST.

The appeal comes ahead of the census on Tuesday, Aug. 11, when everyone in the country — citizens, permanent residents, temporary workers, international students, and visitors alike — will be asked to complete the survey.

The “Supporting Muslim Participation in the 2026 Census” campaign, led by the Australian National Imams Council, wants official statistics to reflect the true size and diversity of Australia’s Muslim population, warning that underreporting distorts planning for neighborhoods with significant Muslim communities.

Governments rely on census data to decide where schools, hospitals, transport, and community facilities are needed, and funding follows population figures.

ANIC is encouraging everyone who identifies as Muslim to record Islam regardless of how actively they practice, noting the religion question measures affiliation rather than observance, and to give accurate ancestry so the data captures the community’s internal diversity and strengthens the case for culturally appropriate services.

Privacy is the main hesitation the campaign addresses.

Under the Privacy Act 1988 and the Census and Statistics Act 1905, personal census information is protected; the Australian Bureau of Statistics separates identifying details such as names and addresses from responses, does not release information in a way that identifies individuals, and does not share it with other government agencies.