SBS Upfronts 2027: SBS Census Explorer to map contemporary Australia – SBS has confirmed its Australian Census Explorer will return in 2027 with updated insights into the communities, languages and locations that make up contemporary Australia.
The refreshed tool will launch in June 2027 after the release of 2026 Census data. It will sit under the SBS Examines banner.
For SBS, the Census Explorer is both an editorial and commercial tool. It supports the broadcaster’s multicultural remit while giving marketers a practical view of Australia’s communities.
What The Tool Will Cover
SBS said the updated Census Explorer will include trusted profiles of language groups and locations across the country.
The new version will also focus on gender demographics and languages other than English.
The broadcaster said the Explorer will continue its commitment to First Nations culture and include multi-language support.
Why SBS Is Updating It
David Hua, SBS Director of Audio Language Content, said the Census is an important moment for SBS.
Hua said the Explorer will help Australians understand how the country is evolving.
With data spanning the 2011, 2016, 2021 and 2026 censuses, the tool will allow users to compare community changes across time.
The 2026 Census asks about ancestry. For the first time, it also includes questions about sexual orientation and gender identity.
A Resource For Marketers
SBS Acting Director of Media Sales Lee Fifoot said the refreshed Census Explorer will be a free tool for marketers.
Fifoot said it will help brands understand Australia’s changing communities and consumer behaviours.
SBS said the Explorer will draw on Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2026 data and earlier Census data from 2021, 2016 and 2011.
The existing Explorer has highlighted a larger and increasingly diverse population. SBS said more than half of Australians are first or second-generation migrants and more than 5.6 million Australians speak a language other than English at home.
For more SBS coverage, visit TV Central’s SBS section. More information about SBS is available at sbs.com.au.
