Check your mailboxes—the 2026 Census instructions are starting to arrive right now!

With Census night just around the corner on Tuesday, August 11, we need to look at what you need to prepare, how to fill it out safely, and what options are available if you don't use a computer. In this episode, Brent is joined by Emily Walter, National Census Spokesperson, to break down everything you need to know ahead of the nationwide count.

• Check Your Mailbox: What your instruction letter looks like, how to use your unique login code, and why you don't need to wait until August 11 to complete it.

• Who Must Complete It: Why the Census is compulsory for everyone currently in Australia on Census night—including citizens, temporary visa holders, and visitors.

• What's New in 2026: Exploring progressive updates, including new voluntary questions on sexual orientation and gender, plus expanded ancestry options.

• Privacy & Security: How the ABS utilizes Australian-hosted digital infrastructure and strips away names and addresses to protect your data.

• A Blast from the Past: The fascinating history of how field officers collected forms by horse and buggy during Australia's very first Census in 1911!

If you want to know how your data shapes local schools, healthcare, and infrastructure, this is the essential guide you need.