Census 2026 is a critical moment to show the true scale of homelessness and drive action
As Australia marks Homelessness Week (3 to 9 August 2026), Mission Australia is urging people experiencing homelessness to take part in the 2026 Census on Tuesday 11 August, warning that worsening housing affordability and rental stress are pushing more people into homelessness.
The for-purpose community services and housing provider says the Census is a key opportunity to provide the best available national picture of homelessness in Australia and build momentum for long term solutions, including a major increase in social and affordable housing.
The 2021 Census recorded 122,494 people experiencing homelessness across Australia. Mission Australia says this figure is likely to be higher today as more people are forced into overcrowded housing, temporary arrangements and other forms of insecure accommodation due to a lack of homes that are affordable.
Homelessness is growing and often hidden
Mission Australia CEO Sharon Callister said homelessness is becoming more widespread, but harder to see.
“Homelessness is not always what people expect,” Ms Callister said.
“It includes people staying with friends or family because they have nowhere else to go, people living in overcrowded homes, and people moving between short term and unstable accommodation.
“Young people are also being deeply affected by the housing crisis. We are seeing more young people trying to study, work and live their lives without the stability of a safe and secure home.
“For some, it is about family conflict, but for many it is the simple reality of not being able to find or afford a place to live.
“The housing crisis is driving more people into these situations, and we expect the numbers have increased since the last Census.”
Census 2026 matters
Ms Callister said the Census plays a critical role in understanding homelessness, but only if everyone is counted.
“The Census is one of the best tools we have to understand homelessness in Australia,”
“But it only works if people are included. If people aren’t counted, they remain invisible in the data, and it becomes harder to respond effectively.”
How to complete the Census if homeless
The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides support to ensure people experiencing homelessness can complete the Census wherever they are staying on Census night.
People can complete the Census in different ways depending on their circumstances:
- Sleeping rough (including in cars or tents): ABS staff will visit known locations between 10 and 16 August 2026 to conduct face-to-face interviews. People may also complete a paper form or complete the Census online.
- Staying in a refuge, hostel or boarding house: Accommodation providers will supply a Census form to complete on Census night.
- Couch surfing or staying temporarily with friends or family: Instructions will be sent to the address where the person is staying from late July. People can be included on that form or request their own.
How to answer the question ‘Where does the person usually live?’
If someone is sleeping rough, couch surfing or staying in a refuge or hostel
- Write ‘NONE’ for the suburb part of the question ‘Where does the person usually live?’.
- Leave the other fields blank for this question.
- If the form is completed online, select ‘Elsewhere in Australia’, then choose ‘Enter address manually’ and enter ‘NONE’ in the ‘Suburb/Locality’ box.
If a housing or homelessness service has organised and paid for someone to stay temporarily in accommodation like a hotel, motel, caravan park or backpackers
- Write ‘NONE-CRISIS’ for the suburb part of the question ‘Where does the person usually live?’.
- If the form is completed online, select ‘Elsewhere in Australia’, then choose ‘Enter address manually’ and enter ‘NONE-CRISIS’ in the ‘Suburb/Locality’ box.
Information provided in the Census is confidential and protected by law and is not shared with police, Centrelink or housing authorities.
Mission Australia staff and frontline services also support people experiencing homelessness to complete the Census.
From visibility to action
Ms Callister said better data must lead to stronger action on housing and homelessness.
“We know what works,” she said.
“When people have a safe, stable and affordable home, homelessness can be prevented or resolved. We also know that targeted support makes a real difference in keeping people housed.
“Nearly all people who receive tenancy support through our services are able to stay housed or avoid homelessness. That shows what is possible when housing and support work together.
“But we cannot end homelessness without more housing. We need a sustained increase in social and affordable housing so it makes up at least six per cent of all homes over the medium term, and 10 per cent over the longer term.
“We also need more youth-specific housing options, including supported models such as Youth Foyers, as well as targeted housing pathways for young people at risk of homelessness.
“We know from our Youth Survey that young people are being hit hard by the lack of affordable housing, and too many are being pushed into homelessness early in life. They need stable and affordable housing options that actually meet their needs.”
Homelessness Action Now
Ms Callister said Homelessness Week is a reminder that action must match awareness.
“The theme this year is Homelessness Action Now, and that is what’s needed,” she said.
“It means making sure homelessness is properly counted, understanding the full scale of the problem and committing to the level of housing investment required to actually end it.”
Mission Australia is calling on governments to act on the evidence and commit to long term reform of the housing system so more people can access safe, stable and affordable homes.