Census officials are reassuring anxious Tasmanians that it'll be all right on the night after reports older members of the community are confused about what they have to do and fear being fined.
The Commonwealth is going to save some $100 million by encouraging people to complete the census online for the first time next Tuesday, but there has been inadequate advertising of instructions and people are having trouble getting through to an overloaded phone help line, Launceston-based Labor senator Helen Polley said on Tuesday.
"There are many people in our community who do not have access to a computer, let alone the internet," she said as part of her role as an opposition spokeswoman for ageing.
"That paired with the compulsory nature of the census and the administrative difficulties people are experiencing is creating a certain amount of anxiety and confusion."
Many people are feeling distressed because they are unable to get through to an operator to access a paper version of the survey, Senator Polley added.
But Tasmanian Census director Georgie Chapman said there is no need to worry and in many cases a paper copy of the questionnaire is already being delivered.
"We have recognised that Tasmania is one of the most regionally dispersed and aged populations in Australia and we will deliver a paper copy automatically in most of those cases," she told AAP.
A greater proportion (35 per cent) of Tasmanians will receive a paper copy of the census than in any other state or territory.
"A field officer will come and drop off materials and that will be everything they need for the night," Ms Chapman said.
"Those who haven't yet received the material, don't stress - it's most likely on the way."
The Census Inquiry Services line - 1300 214 531 - has been overloaded but is open 8am to 8pm and Ms Chapman said early and late are the best times to call.
"If the form doesn't arrive until August 10 or 11, people can still complete it based on information from (Tuesday) night," she said, adding that fines won't be issued in cases where people have made arrangements to complete the survey.
Staff at some 60 LINC community centres across Tasmania have also been trained to help people with the census.
