Media release –
National
Newborns arrive just in time to make the 2016 Census count7 August 2016 | CO/100It’s almost Census night—a night when everyone in Australia, including the country’s newest arrivals, newborn babies, make a difference. Today the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is celebrating the arrival of some of the youngest people to be included in the Census of Population and Housing on Tuesday 9 August, by giving newborns around the country a special gift. 1,100 babies in 40 selected hospitals around the country will receive an ‘I “heart” Census’ t-shirt. Head of the 2016 Census, Duncan Young, said it’s a fun way to remind parents to include their newborn baby on their Census form in two night’s time. “Welcoming a newborn is an exciting time for any family,” Mr Young said. “Today is a great opportunity for us to share in the excitement with some of these families, and remind them of the importance the Census has for the future of these young ones, and the future of our nation. “Babies born before midnight on Census night must be included on a Census form. If a child is born at 11:59:59, they’ll be counted in the 2016 Census. “Putting everyone in your household, including any newborns, on your Census form, will help achieve an accurate count of the population. For example Census data tells us a child is born in Australia every one minute and 46 seconds. “Information provided on Census forms will inform decisions for these newborns’ future, and the future of everyone in Australia by assigning government funds to things like hospitals, schools and other essential services. “It doesn’t matter if you’re one or 100. Being included on a Census form means you’re part of this five-yearly snapshot of Australia, so we understand who we are, where we live and how we’re changing.” Households should now have received a Census Instruction Letter from the ABS, including their unique Census Login required to complete the Census online, and instructions on how to order a paper form. If your household hasn’t received this information, please call the Census Inquiry Service on 1300 214 531. For more information about the Census, visit census.abs.gov.au. Background information on the 2016 Census of Population and Housing Data collected from the 2016 Census will support funding decisions for services and infrastructure including housing, transport, education, industry, hospitals, and the environment. Data from the 2011 Census revealed Australia has more than 5.6 million families and families have an average of 1.9 children. Of families in Australia, 44.6 per cent were couple families with children, 37.8 per cent were couple families without children and 15.9 per cent were one parent families. Key 2016 Census dates:
Media inquiriesNational Media Manager (P) 02 6252 6617, 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday or 0429 955 731 outside of business hours (E) census.media@abs.gov.auThe ABS is committed to upholding the privacy, confidentiality and security of all the personal information it collects. Read more about our approach to privacy and our privacy policy on the ABS website. |