Census 2026: an opportunity for Christian witness

On August 11 this year, the Australian Government is conducting a census. This happens every five years and provides the Australian people with helpful information about the identity of the 28 million people who call Australia home.

The 2026 Census is also a good opportunity for thoughtful Christian witness, as each Christian living in Australia is given the opportunity to speak directly to the government and the nation through the Census questionnaire.

One key element of this witness is how we identify ourselves as people of faith in Jesus Christ. In particular, we have an opportunity to identify as Christians who confess the Lutheran faith.

In recent times, the ‘Lutheran’ option in the religion question of the Census has been removed. Instead, ‘Lutheran’ or ‘Lutheran Christian’ needs to be written in the ‘Other’ box.

I encourage all Australian Lutherans completing the 2026 Census to take this simple opportunity to identify their faith and Lutheran confession.

When the outcomes of the 2026 Census are published next year, we are also given valuable information to help us learn about our neighbours so that we might purposefully share with them the hope within us.

We do this to the glory of God, to be salt and light in our communities.

In Christ,
Bishop Paul Smith