How will the 2026 Census account for regional Australia's FIFO 'ghost population'?
The Australian Mining Cities Alliance is lobbying the Australian Bureau of Statistics to better account for 'fly-in, fly-out' (FIFO) workers in the 2026 Census. Local governments argue that these 'ghost populations' place significant strain on regional infrastructure and services that are not currently reflected in official data.
Why it matters
Accurate census data is critical for the equitable distribution of government funding and the planning of essential services in rapidly growing mining regions.
Fly-in, fly-out workers arrive at Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport. ( ABC Goldfields: Jarrod Lucas )
A lobby group representing some of Australia's most historic mining regions has been pushing for the census to better capture data around fly-in fly-out workers.
The Australian Mining Cities Alliance comprises six local governments, including councils from Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Mount Isa and Broken Hill.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics is expected to begin releasing the data gathered on census night next year.
Link copied Share Share article As households across Australia begin filling out their forms for the 2026 Census, mining communities fear the count will fail to capture the nation's growing fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workforce.
The historic mining city of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, about 600 kilometres east of Perth, is experiencing one of the biggest booms in its history.
An aerial view of Kalgoorlie's Super Pit gold mine. ( ABC Goldfields: Ivo Da Silva )
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