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Family history > Australian family history records > Australian census records  

Australian census records

History, surviving records and census substitutes.

Australian census history

At first musters were held in New South Wales and Tasmania. People were called to a gathering, and various details were recorded. 

As the population grew, musters became too time-consuming and difficult to administer, and the colonial census was introduced. Each colony took census records independently, with different questions and on different dates. 

After Australian federation the first national census was in 1911. Australian national census dates are irregular, the pattern having been disturbed by war and depression. The dates are: 
  • 3 April 1911
  • 4 April 1921
  • 30 June 1933
  • 30 June 1947

  • 30 June 1954
  • 30 June 1961
  • 30 June 1966
  • 30 June 1971
  • 30 June 1976
  • 30 June 1981
  • 30 June 1986
  • 6 August 1991
  • 6 August 1996
  • 7 August 2001
  • 8 August 2006
  • 9 August 2011

Surviving records

Many individual Australian records have been destroyed. Historical census data is available from:
  • Australian Bureau of Statistics
  • Historical Census and Colonial Data Archive.

Some colonial census name records survive. They have been published in books, microfiche, CD and commercial online databases. When looking for colonial records it is important to understand how administration districts changed over time. See Australian civil administration.

National census records currently only give statistical information, not individual name records. Since 2001 individuals can nominate whether or not to allow their records to be released after 99 years.

Census substitutes

Although many Australian census name records have not survived, census substitutes include:
  • electoral rolls
  • directories
  • rate books

Post-Federation electoral rolls are widely available and some colonial electoral rolls are also available. Coverage is limited to people eligible to vote, which has changed over time. Information includes name and address, and sometimes occupation and eligibility criteria.

Many directories were produced annually. Directories might not be complete because inclusion was not always compulsory or free. Information includes head of household name and address, and sometimes occupation.  

Rate books were produced annually. Information can include name of occupant, owner, address, description of property and rates paid.


Australian family history records
Australian BDM records
Australian census records
Australian civil administration
Australian history timeline
Victorian history timeline

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  • Home
  • Family history
    • Family tree templates >
      • Ancestor charts
      • One line ancestor charts
      • Descendant charts
      • Family group charts
      • Family record-keeping charts
      • How to edit family tree templates
    • Australian family history records >
      • BDM Australia
      • Australian census records
      • Australian civil administration
      • Australian history timeline
      • Victorian history timeline
  • Cryptic crosswords
    • 1001 Abbreviations
    • 1001 Anagram indicators
    • 1001 Cryptic letters
    • 1001 Cryptic names
    • 1001 Cryptic short words
    • 1001 Homophones
    • Containers
    • Gramograms
    • Palindromes
    • Reversals
    • Roman numerals
    • Subtractions
  • About
    • Books >
      • Cryptic code-breaker
      • Sudoku strategies
      • Cards
    • Workshops
    • Research
    • Policies
  • Contact