On Tuesday, 11 August 2026, it is Census night in Australia. This is a once-in-five-years snapshot of everyone living in the country. While completing the Census is compulsory for most people in Australia on Census Night, it is also an important opportunity for international students to ensure they are represented in the data that helps shape Australia’s future.
International students are an integral part of our communities. They are part of our campuses, local economies, workplaces and neighbourhoods. By participating in the Census, they help provide a more complete picture of Australia’s population and how communities are changing over time.
As we know, the information collected through the Census is used to inform decisions about services and infrastructure that benefit everyone. Census data helps governments, businesses and organisations plan for future needs, including health care, education, public transport, housing and community services.
For the international education community, the 2026 Census data will provide valuable insights into the experiences and characteristics of international students living in Australia. It will help us better understand where international students live, how they travel, the types of accommodation they use, and their engagement with education and the wider community. These insights will support better planning and evidence-based policies at local and national levels.
The 2026 Census is particularly significant for the international education sector. The previous Census, conducted in 2021, captured Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic, when international border restrictions meant that many international students were studying remotely from overseas rather than living in Australia. As a result, the 2021 Census reflected an extraordinary point in time and did not fully capture the presence of international students within Australian communities.
The 2026 Census provides the first opportunity since the pandemic to build a more complete picture of where international students live, how they engage with local communities, and the role they play in Australia’s social, cultural and economic life.
As Census Night approaches on Tuesday, 11 August, we encourage everyone working with international students to remind them about the importance of completing their Census form and to share the official resources available from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Please support this initiative by sharing some of the following valuable information with your international students.
Census Factsheet available in 25 different languages
Download link: https://info.census.abs.gov.au/language-support
How to complete the census – Information for migrants, refugees and international visitors including international students
Link: https://info.census.abs.gov.au/help/information-migrants-refugees-and-international-visitors
Thank you for your support and happy census night!
Keri Ramirez is the Managing Director at Studymove
