Australia's religious landscape may be more diverse than official figures suggest, but a new survey suggests that this diversity might not necessarily translate to a strong sense of religiosity. The Essential Media poll indicates that if the question were rephrased to first ask whether individuals have any form of religious affiliation, a majority – 54% – would identify as having no such connection. This figure represents an estimated two million more adults than currently recorded, raising questions about the accuracy of Australia's census data.
The current Australian census format presents a list of common religions, an 'other' option, and 'no religion'. In the 2021 census, 39% of respondents chose 'no religion'. The new Essential Media survey, conducted ahead of the 2026 census, found 43% selected 'no religion' when presented with the existing format. However, when an alternative format was used – a 'do you have a religion?' yes/no query followed by a text box for those who answered 'yes' – the proportion identifying as having no religion rose significantly to 54%.
This discrepancy has fuelled a campaign by the 'Census – Not Religious? Mark No Religion' group, which commissioned the poll. Spokesperson Michael Dove stated that the current method used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) potentially overstates the nation's religiousness and undercounts those without religion. He emphasised the importance of accurate census data for informing policy and funding decisions, describing the census as the 'gold standard' for such information.
The debate over the religion question is not new, with past censuses even seeing humorous responses like tens of thousands declaring themselves 'Jedi Knights' in 2001. While Christianity remains the most common religion in Australia, ABS data shows a steady decline over the past five decades. Conversely, the number of people identifying with non-Christian faiths or no religion has been consistently rising.
Despite consultations with various organisations after the 2021 census, the ABS decided against altering the question for the upcoming 2026 census. Their rationale cited the difficulty in designing a question that meets all needs and the challenge of maintaining comparability with historical data. The ABS has, however, implemented minor changes, including updated instructions and reordering categories based on the most common religious groups from the last census.