Multi-faith push urges Jewish Australians to be counted

A national multi-faith initiative launched on June 18 is urging Australians to accurately identify their religious affiliation in the 2026 Census, with NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Michele Goldman saying the question carries particular significance for the Jewish community.

“For many Jewish Australians, identity cannot be separated neatly into religious or non-religious categories,” Goldman said.

“Traditions, history, family life and sense of belonging are often inseparable from how we understand ourselves and our place in Australia. This initiative is an important reminder that the Census is about accurately reflecting the communities and identities that shape our society, including those whose connection to faith may be cultural, ancestral or expressed in different ways throughout life.”

The initiative, led by the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney and supported by faith leaders from Catholic, Anglican, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Pentecostal and other Christian communities, launched at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney. It aims to counter a trend of increasing numbers of Australians selecting “No Religion” despite maintaining a connection to faith through family, culture or personal belief.

Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher said the initiative was not about persuading anyone to change their beliefs. “It is about encouraging Australians to answer the Census honestly and confidently, recognising the role faith and spiritual identity continue to play in many people’s lives, families and communities,” he said.

Demographer and census expert Mark McCrindle said accurate data had real-world consequences, informing long-term planning around education, healthcare, aged care, chaplaincy and settlement services.

He said the religion question was one of the few optional items in the Census, yet fewer than seven per cent of Australians left it blank in the last Census. “The challenge is helping people understand that this is not a test of religious practice or perfection,” McCrindle said. “Many Australians still identify with a faith tradition culturally, historically or personally, even if they are not regular attendees.”

Australian National Imams Council president Imam Shadi Alsuleiman said there was no single standard determining whether someone was “religious enough” to identify with their faith, while NSW Faith Affairs Council member Rev. Heather Topp said the initiative reflected a spirit of mutual respect across traditions.

The campaign runs until the conclusion of the official Census period following Census Night on August 11.