An Essential Media poll commissioned by the Census – Not Religious? Mark No Religion campaign examined how different census question formats affect reported religious affiliation in Australia. When respondents were presented with the current census format—a list including common religions, “no religion,” and “other”—43% selected “no religion.” However, when the same respondents were asked with a yes/no format first (“do you have a religion?”) followed by a text box for those answering affirmatively, 54% indicated they had no religion, a difference representing approximately 2 million additional adults.
The campaign argues that the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ current question format overstates religious affiliation and understates the non-religious population. Campaign spokesperson Michael Dove characterized census data as essential for informing policy and funding decisions. The poll surveyed more than 2,000 participants using each question format. Religious affiliation varied by age group, with those aged 18-34 showing lower rates at 34%, while university-educated respondents showed 50% religious affiliation in the alternative format.
The religion question has been contentious for years in Australia. The 2021 census recorded 43.9% identifying as Christian and 38.9% selecting “no religion.” The Australian Bureau of Statistics previously considered revising the question after feedback that it assumed respondents had a religion, but opted against changes due to concerns about comparing data across census years. The bureau consulted with both religious and secular organizations before deciding to maintain the current format while providing additional instructions and reordering categories to reflect the most common religious groups from the previous census.
Dove suggested the organization is focusing efforts on the 2031 census following the decision to retain the existing format for 2026. The campaign website references various surveys showing higher non-religious populations than the official census figures. Historical context includes phenomena such as over 70,000 Australians declaring themselves Jedi Knights in 2001 and members of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster selecting “no religion” to avoid being counted as Christian.
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