Australian Bureau of Statistics
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Security and privacy

How do I login to ABS eSurvey?

To login to ABS eSurvey, you need a User/Unit Identifier and a Password.

The User/Unit Identifier and the Password can be found in the letter sent to you by the ABS.

ABS eSurvey is designed to work successfully with the most common Internet browsers, providing they support 128-bit TLS/SSL encryption. If your web browser does not support 128-bit TLS/SSL encryption you will not be able to complete the form online. For further information see How do I enable 128-bit encryption in my browser?

For further information, please consult the 'Help' function in your web browser or click on a link to:

• Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Mozilla Firefox
• Google Chrome
• Apple Safari

It is important that the User/Unit Identifier provided to you is used every time you log into the survey. Please keep this User/Unit Identifier in a safe place. If you misplace your User/Unit Identifier, please contact the ABS and a customer service representative will assist you. See Contact Us for details.

How do I complete the survey?

On every page within ABS eSurvey, there are links to online help and information which may assist you.

At the 'Login' page, in the spaces provided, enter your User/Unit Identifier followed by your Password. Your User/Unit Identifier and Password can be found on the letter sent to you by the ABS.

Once you have entered your User/Unit Identifier and Password click the 'Login' button and follow the steps below:

Step 1: Following your initial login, you will be presented with a Change Password page. This page requests that you change your initial password to a new password of your choosing. Your password should be between 7 and 12 characters in length and contain a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Once you have entered a new password that meets the complexity requirements, click the Submit button to proceed.

Step 2: After successfully changing your initial password you will be presented with a page listing the surveys that you have been allocated. To begin a survey, click the link from the list.

Step 3: As you proceed, the navigation menu at the left side of the survey page will contain links to different sections of the form. 'Done' will appear next to each link to reflect the completion of each section. Any of these section links that do not reflect this change indicates that the section needs to be completed.

Step 4: Once all sections of the survey form are complete, you will progress to the Submit page. Click the Submit button to submit the survey form. Please note that, in order to maintain the security of the information you have provided, you will be unable to re-enter a survey form once it has been submitted.

An acknowledgment page will follow the successful submission of your survey form.

How do I enable JavaScript in my browser?

To enable JavaScript in Internet Explorer 7 and 8:

1. Open the browser
2. At the top of the browser window, in the Tools’ menu, select 'Internet Options'
3. Select the 'Security' tab
4. Select the 'Internet' icon and click the 'Custom Level' button and go to the 'Security Settings - Internet Zone' box
5. Scroll down to 'Scripting' and under 'Active scripting' select 'Enable'
6. Click Ok
7. Restart your browser to apply the settings to enable JavaScript.

To enable JavaScript in Firefox 3:

1. Open the browser
2. At the top of the browser window, in the 'Tools' menu, select 'Options'.
3. Click on the 'Content' tab and select ‘Enable Java’ and 'Enable JavaScript'.
4. Click Ok
5. Restart your browser to apply the settings to enable JavaScript

To enable JavaScript in Safari 4:

1. Open the browser
2. At the top of the browser window, in the Safari menu, select ‘Preferences'
3. Select the ‘Security’ icon
4. Go to Web content and tick ‘Enable Java’ and 'Enable JavaScript'.
5. Close the ‘Preferences’ window
6. Restart your browser to apply the settings to enable JavaScript

To enable JavaScript in Google Chrome 3:

1. Open the browser
2. At the top of the browser window, in the Tools menu, select ‘Options’
3. Click on ‘Under the hood’ and select ‘Content settings’
4. Select ‘JavaScript’ and select ‘Allow all sites to run JavaScript’
5. Save the changes
6. Restart your browser to apply the settings to enable JavaScript

How do I enable 128-bit encryption in my browser?

To enable 128-bit encryption in Internet Explorer 7:

1. Select 'Tools' then 'Internet Options' from the top of your browser window
2. Select the 'Advanced' tab
3. Scroll to HTTP 1.1 settings and set 'Use HTTP 1.1' to Enabled (ticked)
4. Scroll to 'Security' and set;
• SSL 3.0 Enabled (ticked)
• SSL 2.0 Enabled (ticked)
5. Click Ok

To enable 128-bit encryption in Internet Explorer 8:

1. Select 'Tools' then 'Internet Options' from the top of your browser window
2. Select the 'Advanced' tab
3. Scroll to HTTP 1.1 settings and set 'Use HTTP 1.1' to Enabled (ticked)
4. Scroll to 'Security' and set;
• SSL 3.0 Enabled (ticked)
• SSL 2.0 Enabled (ticked)
• TLS 1.0 Enabled (ticked)
5. Click Ok

To enable 128-bit encryption in Firefox 3:

1. Select 'Tools' then 'Options' from the top of your browser window
2. Select 'Advanced' from the left menu
3. Scroll to 'Security' and set;
• SSL 2.0 Enabled (ticked)
• SSL 3.0 Enabled (ticked)
4. Click Ok

The speed of your access to ABS eSurvey depends on many variables, many of which are outside the control of both the ABS and yourself.

These variables may include:

• General Internet traffic
• The speed, quality, and reliability of your Internet connection
• The speed of your computer
• The amount of memory available to your computer
• The load of your Internet Service Provider

• Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Mozilla Firefox
• Google Chrome
• Apple Safari

Please remember that general Internet traffic can reach peak levels at certain times of the day. The ABS has endeavoured to design a system capable of handling heavy Internet traffic however there are elements that are beyond the control of the ABS. The capacity of your Internet Service Provider, as well as that of your local telephone interchange could have a significant impact on your access to ABS eSurvey.

Should you continue to have difficulties accessing ABS eSurvey, please contact the ABS and a customer service representative will assist you. See Contact Us for details.

ABS eSurvey has been designed to be viewed at a minimum screen resolution of 800 x 600; however it can be viewed at higher resolutions.

How secure is the survey form?

The ABS is bound by the Census and Statistics Act 1905 to protect the confidentiality of the information you provide to the ABS. To ensure that your information is delivered to the ABS securely, we have used the strongest industry standard encryption technology that your web browser will support. This means that the information you send is unable to be read by anyone except the ABS. All possible measures have been taken to protect the integrity of the survey form.

The security of your information is also reliant upon the continued confidentiality of your Password. You must ensure that your Password remains confidential in order to prevent others from using it to gain access to your information. Once you have submitted the form, it can no longer be accessed by using your User ID and Password. This further protects your information by preventing unauthorised access using your User ID and Password.

Will the information I provide be confidential?

Yes, the ABS strictly maintains the confidentiality of all information provided under the Census and Statistics Act 1905. The ABS also complies with the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988 when collecting and using personal information. The information provided will be treated confidentially and no information will be released in a way that would enable a person, household or business to be identified.

Who is the Australian Bureau of Statistics?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is Australia's official statistical agency. We encourage informed decision making, research and discussion with governments and the community by leading a high quality and objective national statistical service. The ABS produces social, environmental and economic statistics covering a wide range of topics. For more information, visit the ABS website www.abs.gov.au.

Do I have to participate?

At this time you are being requested to answer the questions, but if the Australian Statistician directs you in writing to provide the information, you are legally obliged to do so.

Can I complete a paper form?

If you are experiencing problems completing the online form, please contact the ABS and a customer service representative will assist you. See Contact Us for details.

How long does the form take to complete?

The time taken to complete the online form will depend on how many questions are relevant, the speed of your computer and Internet connection, as well as the level of Internet traffic at the time of completion.

If you are unable to complete the form in one session you can save your information, exit and return to complete the form at a more convenient time. You can exit the form at any time by clicking the 'Save and Exit' link, which appears in the top right-hand side of the form. You will be prompted to save the form before exiting. For further information, please refer to How do I resume completing the form at a later time?

Further information about Household Surveys can be found here: Household Survey FAQs

Why can't you select another household instead of mine?

It is important that all selected households participate to ensure that the survey results reflect the community as a whole. Households are selected at random throughout Australia so that every household in each state and territory has the same chance of being selected. Each selected household represents similar people in the community. Your participation is vital to ensure that all people like you are properly represented in the survey results.

How long will I be in the Monthly Population Survey?

You will need to participate once a month for 8 months

Why do I have to do the Monthly Population Survey for eight months?

One of the main purposes of the Monthly Population Survey is to measure the changes in the labour force over time. To reduce burden on your household, and to provide reliable information on the current status of the labour force, households are replaced every eight months.

Further information about Business Surveys can be found here: Business Survey FAQs