Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) counts every person and every household in the country as part of the Census of Population and Housing.
That includes Australians, young and old, from metropolitan and rural Australia. Even holidaymakers, international students and temporary visa holders are counted. It's often referred to as the most comprehensive snapshot of Australia, akin to a family photograph of the country.
This year, the Census will take place on Tuesday 11 August.
In the lead-up to Census night, here are all your questions answered.
- How do you complete the Census?
- What is Census data used for?
- Why is everyone counted in the Census?
- Do temporary visitor holders need to complete the Census?
- How can international visitors and students complete the Census?
- What help is available to complete the Census?
- What if you're travelling on Census night?
- Can you be fined for not completing the Census?
- What happens if you provide false information?
- How to identify Census-related scams
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How do you complete the Census?
From late July, households will receive instructions on how to complete the Census. Australians can complete the form as soon as they receive instructions, provided they know where they will be on Census night.
Most people will receive a letter with instructions to complete the Census online. However, Australians can also request a paper form if they prefer.
Generally, one person per household will complete the Census, but separate forms can be requested for privacy reasons.
What is Census data used for?
Census data is used to inform decisions about language services, settlement support, transport, schools, health care, infrastructure and business. It also helps plan local services for individuals, families and communities.
SBS broadcasts and publishes across more than 60 languages, using data from the Census to ensure its audio, digital, and television offerings reflect the country's evolving demographics.
The data is often used by researchers to study a range of topics, including population demographics, economic trends and social issues.
Do temporary visitor holders need to complete the Census?
International visitors, migrants, refugees and people on temporary visas (including international students and tourists) must also complete the Census.
People staying in hotels, motels, or bed and breakfasts can access paper Census forms from accommodation staff. Those staying in short-term rental accommodation (like an Airbnb or Stayz) can complete the Census online with internet access.
The Census is strictly confidential. Personal information such as names and addresses cannot be accessed by police, immigration agents or any government departments.
How can international visitors and students complete Census?
For international visitors and students staying in hotels, motels or student accommodation, instructions on how to complete the Census will be provided by accommodation staff.
Paper forms should be available at locations including bed and breakfasts, cruise ships, commercial vessels and snowfield accommodation.
International visitors staying in holiday rental properties (such as Airbnb or Stayz) can complete the Census online with free internet access.
People staying in remote locations or free camping sites can visit Accredited Visitor Information Centres to access Census forms. The completed survey can be mailed via the provided Reply Paid envelope.
All details, including personal information collected during the Census, are strictly confidential and protected by law. The Census must be completed in English.
What help is available to complete the Census?
Online information about the Census is also available in 26 different languages via the ABS website. However, the questionnaire must be completed in English.
People who speak a language other than English can contact the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) which provides access to interpreters who speak more than 150 languages.
People staying in remote and regional Australia, including fly-in fly-out workers, are expected to complete the Census.
Around 30,000 ABS field staff have been employed to ensure all Australians, including people experiencing homelessness or in hospital, can access the form. In 2021, field staff travelled more than 10 million kilometres across Australia.
Field staff will also gather Census information from people in police custody on 11 August.
The ABS confirmed to SBS News that they receive administrative data for people in detention centres and correctional facilities within Australia, which provides necessary Census details.
What if you're travelling on Census night?
If a person is travelling within Australia on 11 August, they are still expected to complete the Census.
This includes anyone travelling overnight on a long-distance train, bus, or aircraft (including red-eye flights between Perth and the east coast), and on long-haul transport vehicles that are parked or in motion.
People must include information about where they are staying or whether they are in transit.
If an Australian is overseas on 11 August, they do not need to complete the Census.
If someone is completing the Census form at their usual address, the person travelling needs to be marked as 'away' but usually living at the dwelling.
Can you be fined for not completing the Census?
The Census is compulsory under the 1905 Census and Statistics Act.
If a person does not complete the Census when directed, they will receive a formal written direction to do so. If they refuse, they can be prosecuted and fined up to $364 a day.
What happens if you provide false information?
The Census asks up to 66 questions, including an individual's gender identity, ancestry and religious affiliation.
When asked about religion during the first-ever Census in 1911, 32 people identified as "Wowser" and 21 as "Angelic". In the 2011 Census, more than 64,000 people in Australia marked their religion as "Jedi".
Why is everyone counted in the Census?
The ABS maintains "every response matters" during the Census and helps determine the distribution of public funds. Providing false or misleading statements or information is considered an offence and can result in a fine of up to $3,640.
Liz Allen, a demographer at the Australian National University's Centre for Social Policy Research, said the Census is deliberately designed to provide a broad snapshot of the nation.
"It gives us an important reference point of who's in the country at that particular time," she told SBS News.
The Census is compulsory for all Australians, international visitors, temporary residents, migrants and refugees in the country. However, Australians who are overseas on 11 August do not complete the Census.
Generally, one person completes the form on behalf of their household.
Allen said that allows the ABS to collect information on "who might be staying over at a friend's house or gran's house" on Census night.
"So it's not just a Census of people. It's a Census of Population and Housing. It gives us essential information on ... how and where we live and then housing stock in the country."
The Census is usually completed online; however, individual and paper forms can be requested if preferred.
How to identify Census-related scams
As Census night fast approaches, Australians are being warned to look out for potential scams and report any inaccurate or suspicious information.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's Scamwatch told SBS News it had recently received reports of Census-related scams involving unknown parties "impersonating" the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
"Scammers often take advantage of major events and trusted government services to make their contact seem legitimate," a Scamwatch spokesperson said.
"Australians should take a moment to stop and check before acting."
While the ABS said it's currently unaware of any scams related to the upcoming Census, the national statistics agency has said cold calls, fake text messages, and phishing emails are among the tactics scammers have used in the past.
The ABS is also reminding Australians that it will never ask for information such as:
- Bank details or credit card information
- Money or donations
- Passwords
- Identity documents or a tax file number.
It's also stressed that people will never be offered prizes or incentives for completing the Census, which is compulsory for everyone in Australia on Tuesday 11 August.
It will also never contact people via social media or ask for personal information without their consent. However, some Australians may also receive online communications if they register for updates through myGov.
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