Alternative Census Question Format Could Shift Australia’s Religious Identity
Survey Reveals Significant Difference in Religious Self-Identification
Losing our religion Australia would no longer – A recent investigation conducted by Essential Media suggests that Australia’s status as a predominantly religious nation could be called into question if the census question format were modified. The poll examined how respondents answered when presented with the current methodology, which offers a selection of options including the most prevalent faiths, an “other” category, and “no religion.” During the 2021 national census, approximately 39 percent of participants chose the “no religion” designation from this list.
However, the newly published survey, unveiled prior to the 2026 Australian census scheduled for August 11, revealed a different picture. When respondents encountered the identical format, 43 percent indicated they had no religious affiliation. The results shifted even more dramatically when participants were first asked a straightforward yes-or-no question regarding their religious status, with an additional text field available for those who answered affirmatively. Under this alternative approach, 54 percent of individuals selected “no,” representing roughly two million adult citizens.
Campaign Challenges Current Methodology
The research was commissioned by the “Census – Not Religious? Mark No Religion” initiative, which contends that the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) methodology inflates the country’s religious profile while simultaneously diminishing the count of non-religious individuals. Michael Dove, a spokesperson for the campaign and self-described “demography nerd,” emphasized the importance of accurate census data.
“The census was the ‘gold standard’ of data needed to ‘inform debate, policy and ultimately funding decisions’,” Dove explained.
He further noted that Australians rely on the ABS to provide dependable information that guides sound decision-making processes. The campaign’s official website compiles various studies indicating that the non-religious population exceeds the 39 percent figure reported in the 2021 census.
Historical Context and Cultural Phenomena
The religious question has generated both serious discussion and lighthearted moments throughout its history. In 2001, over 70,000 Australians identified themselves as Jedi Knights, motivated by the Star Wars film series. Meanwhile, Pastafarians—followers of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster who traditionally wear colanders as head coverings—have reportedly selected the “no religion” option to prevent being classified as Christians.
According to ABS records, Christianity has experienced a gradual decline over the past half-century, yet remained the dominant faith during the most recent census. In the new survey, 43.9 percent of respondents identified as Christian, while 38.9 percent marked “no religion.” The proportion of individuals belonging to non-Christian faiths or having no religious affiliation has shown consistent growth.
Methodology and Demographic Breakdown
The investigation included more than 2,000 participants responding to the traditional census question, alongside another group of over 2,000 individuals using the proposed alternative format. Among the first cohort, 43 percent chose “no religion,” 55 percent selected a religious affiliation, and 2 percent declined to respond. The second group demonstrated a reversal: 43 percent affirmed having a religion, while 54 percent stated they did not, with 4 percent remaining undecided.
Religious affiliation showed variation across demographic segments. In the second group, individuals aged 18 to 34 exhibited lower religious identification at 34 percent, whereas those with university education demonstrated higher affiliation at 50 percent. It is worth noting that the poll focused exclusively on adults, while the census encompasses children whose responses are recorded by adult household members.
ABS Response and Future Considerations
Following the 2021 census, the ABS evaluated potential modifications to the question. The bureau acknowledged receiving feedback suggesting the current wording “assumes you have a religion,” yet expressed concern that alterations could compromise data comparability with historical records.
Dove mentioned that campaign representatives participated in two consultation phases with the ABS after the 2021 census, describing the bureau as responsive. Nevertheless, the ABS ultimately declined to implement changes. Dove attributed this decision to influence from religious organizations with significant vested interests, stating, “It needs to be fixed.”
The ABS maintained that it consulted with both religious and secular entities and concluded that designing a question meeting all identified requirements was unfeasible. The bureau also emphasized its inability to sufficiently support users requiring longitudinal data comparison. For the upcoming census, the ABS introduced additional guidance, revised examples, reorganized categories to reflect the most common religious groups, and modified data processing to capture the most detailed level of respondent information.
“We’ve already got our eyes on 2031,” Dove remarked regarding the campaign’s long-term objectives.
