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Media release –
South Australia

SA Census Collectors hit the streets

28 July 2011 | SA/35

Census Collectors will hit the streets in South Australia on Friday, to deliver the state’s share of Australia’s 14.2 million Census forms.

South Australia Census Regional Director Mike McGrath says the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has hired and trained approximately 3,500 staff in South Australia to collect vital information on Census night, Tuesday, 9 August 2011.

“Our Collectors will visit 750,000 houses, apartments, rural and remote properties and other kinds of homes across the state to ensure excellent quality information is collected in the Census,” Mr McGrath says.

“Census Collectors will be easy to recognise because they’ll all be wearing identification lanyards and carrying distinctive yellow Collector satchels.”

Mr McGrath says South Australians can also complete the Census online, using eCensus.

“The eCensus is a fast, secure and easy alternative to the traditional paper form, with online help available. I’m completing the Census online and we expect at least 30 per cent of population will use eCensus,” Mr McGrath adds.

In South Australia special Census Collectors will also ensure people who are not located in private dwellings are included in the Census, in locations such as:
  • Hospitals and aged care homes
  • Hotels, motels and caravan parks
  • Aboriginal communities, remote areas of the State and mining towns
  • City and regional locations where people who are homeless can be found

Mr McGrath is reminding South Australians that to help capture an accurate snapshot of Australia, every person in South Australia on Census night needs to be included on a paper or eCensus form.

“Regardless of age, location or travelling circumstances, you must be on a Census form, including international and interstate tourists. The only people exempt on Census night are foreign diplomats and their families.

“Census data is used by all levels of government, the private and community sectors for planning services and infrastructure, such as schools and other educational facilities, health centres, language and transport services. Population estimates based on Census information are also used to allocate seats in Parliament and federal government funding to South Australia,” Mr McGrath says.

For more information visit www.abs.gov.au/census.

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