Overview

We have outlined the important information in the sections below to help you understand the process for the 2026 February Census. A quick summary of the key information is included in the table immediately below:

What do you need to do?

• Export your data in the format described in the CSNSW Data File Specification

• Upload it to the CSNSW Census Upload portal as described in Uploading data to CSNSW using the Census Upload portal

What if I cannot supply the requested data in the timeframe provided?

We are very aware that the start of the year creates an enormous amount of work in a short space of time. If you have any concerns about not being able to provide the requested data within the specified timeframe, please contact the Catholic Schools NSW Service Desk team as soon as possible so that we can discuss alternative options. We will focus on working with you to understand what is practical and feasible. We are open to understanding how we can better align the data collection to your capabilities.

What if I have questions or need help?

You can contact the team at any time for assistance. For support, please follow the instructions on Getting Support from CSNSW.

Can I test my data files before the reference date?

The new file upload system we released a few years ago for the August Census will be used again for the 2026 February Census process. Therefore, if you submitted data in August 2025, the process will be familiar.

We will open the system ahead of time, ready for data submissions, and you will be able to log in and test your data files before the actual submission date, ensuring you are familiar with the process.

You can repeat this process as many times as necessary, and only the last file submitted will be used.

For information on preparing and uploading your data, refer to the documentation (Uploading data for Census) available here.

If there are any changes to this process, we will notify you as soon as possible.

Will there be any changes to the File Specification?

We are committed to only making changes that simplify or reduce the effort required to complete the process. We have no planned changes for the February 2026 process.

Why do we still collect the February Census?

The data collected during the February Census flows into our start-of-the-year planning and reporting obligations to the Bishops and other organisations, such as the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC).

While we are sticking to the same format as previous years for 2026, Catholic Schools NSW is constantly exploring ways to make collecting this data as smooth and non-disruptive as possible in the future. If you have any suggestions, please contact us through our service desk.