The Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed for the first time that one in 20 Australians are lesbian, gay, bi, trans or gender diverse, or intersex (LGBTI+).

According to ABS head of health statistics, Robert Long, this is the “first nationally representative data of their kind in Australia”.

Young Australians were more likely to be LGBTI+, with 9.5% of people aged 16 to 24, and 7.5% in the 25-34 category identifying as LGBTI+. Overall, 4.5% of Australians aged 16 and over identified as LGBTI+.

The jurisdictions with the most LGBTI+ people were in the ACT (5.9%) and Victoria (5.3%), statistically significantly more than other states and territories – although LGBTI+ people are found across the country.

The ABS combined data from almost 45,000 people who took part in a health survey.

About 740,000 people are lesbian, gay, bisexual or use a different term to describe their sexual orientation.

One in three from those communities are married or in a de facto relationship.

Almost 179,000 people – less than 1% – are trans and gender diverse, including trans men, trans women and non-binary people.

The 2026 Australian census will include questions on gender and sexual orientation for people aged 16 years and over.

Equality Australia chief executive, Anna Brown, said until now almost 1 million people have been hidden.

“Our communities deserve to be counted and to feel seen,” she said.

“We now know that LGBTIQ+ people live in every part of Australia, in regional, rural, metro and remote areas, and this means local councils, service providers and government agencies will be able to better serve the needs of our communities.”

Brown said the estimates demonstrated the need for a more complete picture of Australia in the 2026 census.

Just.Equal Australia spokesperson Rodney Croome said the data showed diverse communities were a powerful voting bloc ahead of next year’s federal election.

“It is a reminder to all political parties that they must have policies recognising the human rights of LGBTI+ people and addressing the disadvantages we face in areas such as health, housing, employment, education and public safety,” he said.

“This data will also help foster inclusion and equity in the broader community by reminding non-LGBTI+ Australians that we are a substantial part of Australian society and that we make an important contribution to national life.”