Population data about LGBTIQ+ Australians released for first time in history
The government has released statistics about LGBTIQ+ people living in Australia for the first time in history.
Following a drawn-out battle to include queer, trans and non-binary Australians in the 2026 Census, the ABS has shared experimental estimates of the country's LGBTIQ+ populations.
The fresh data revealed there are more than 900,000 LGBTIQ+ Australians aged 16 and over, which is around 4.5 per cent of the country's adult population.
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The ABS has shared a snapshot of the LGBTIQ+ population in Australia for the first time. Getty
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The ABS found the highest concentration of LGBTIQ+ people are aged between 16 and 24 – which accounts for 29.1 per cent of the community.
Those aged 75 and older are the least likely to identify as a part of this group.
Out of the estimated 900,000 Australians who identify as part of the LGBTIQ+ community, one in five (20.1 per cent) are trans men, trans women or non-binary.
And around 0.3 per cent Australians reported they were born with variations of sex characteristics.
Those aged between 16 and 24 are most likely to identify as other than heterosexual. ABS
Queer Australians are more likely to live in Victoria, while Western Australia has the smallest population compared to those who identify as heterosexual.
The data was combined from nearly 45,000 Australians who responded to ABS health surveys between 2020 and 2022 to shed light on the LGBTIQ+ population.
This is the first time the ABS has released official statistics regarding the country's gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities.
The 2026 Census will include questions about gender and sexual orientation for Australians aged over 16, which will offer a clearer picture of the country's diverse population.
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The 2026 Census will include questions about gender and sexual orientation Australian Bureau of Statistics
"This will provide more detailed data by geography and population characteristics for LGB+ and trans and gender diverse populations in Australia," the ABS said in a statement.
LGBTIQ+ advocates called on the government to include questions about sexuality in the 2026 Census, after deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said in August it was not on the agenda.
Leaders in the community said it was vital to have data about gender diversity and sexuality for health planning and government funding.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers confirmed in September the next Census would include questions about sexuality for those aged 16 and over.
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