2903.0.55.002 - How Australia Takes a Census, 2006  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 14/08/2006  First Issue
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MEDIA RELEASE

August 11, 2006
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
ACT52/2006
Do not drop Census forms in post without mailback envelope

There have been a number of instances where people in the ACT have dropped their completed Census form in post office boxes without a mailback envelope.

You should only send back your Census form via mail if you have requested and received a mailback envelope from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Census Collectors are currently going back to households to pick up Census forms personally. They will continue to pick up forms until 28th August.

The only options available to return your completed Census forms to the ABS are:
  1. Handing it personally to a Census Collector
  2. Lodging your form on-line via eCensus
  3. Requesting a mailback envelope and posting your form directly to the ABS (call 1300 362 883).

People should not try to return their completed form to the ABS by:
  1. Dropping it off at ABS Offices
  2. Leaving it outside for their Census Collector to pick-up
  3. Posting it without a Census mailback envelope from the ABS.

According to ABS ACT Regional Director, Karen Vitullo, the ABS is very concerned with the privacy of personal information.

"The ABS has taken every step to ensure people's completed Census forms remain confidential and can safely be delivered to the Data Processing Centre in Melbourne," said Karen.

"To ensure your personal details remain confidential, you should not leave your completed form out in the open or try to mail it back without a mailback envelope."

Those people who do not have a form can request one by email at census.forms@abs.gov.au, or by calling the Census Inquiry Service on 1300 362 883, and providing the ABS with a relevant residential address.

People who have inquiries can call the Census Inquiry Service on 1300 362 883. There is also a Telephone Typewriter facility to assist people with hearing impairments on 1300 364 365.