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Media release –
National

Australian Statistician launches 38,000 opportunities to make a difference

10 May 2016 | CO/88

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) officially launched its 2016 Census Field Officer Recruitment Drive at Melbourne’s Federation Square today, with over 38,000 temporary jobs now up for grabs around the country.

Field Officers will support the mammoth task of counting every person and dwelling right across the country’s 8 million square kilometres.

Australian Statistician, David W. Kalisch highlighted the importance of recruiting Census Field Officers who are committed to making a difference to their community and Australia.

“Census Field Officers play a critical role in helping us count the 10 million households and close to 24 million people on Census night, August 9,” Mr Kalisch said.

“The collected data will guide some of the biggest policy and business decisions of our future. Everyone from those out in the bush to grey nomads, Aboriginal Australians, new Australians, FIFO workers and the homeless must be counted to ensure we have a complete and accurate snapshot of Australia .”

The shift to a digital-first approach in the 2016 Census, where a majority of Australians will receive a letter in the mail prompting completion online, hasn’t diminished the importance of Census Field Officers in 2016.

“The 2016 Census will be different to any previous Census held in Australia, with more than 65 per cent of, or 16-million people, expected to fill their Census forms out online, making it Australia’s biggest ever online event,” Mr Kalisch said.

“Roles and responsibilities of Census Field Officers will reflect the changes to this year’s Census and the digital-first approach. For the first time our Census Field Officers will carry mobile devices out in the field, allowing them to receive and communicate up to date information in real time, improving efficiency.

“The changes we’re making to the 2016 Census will see the taxpayer save $100 million compared to the traditional Census. It will be more environmentally friendly thanks to less paper, and provide more accurate data faster, thanks to more online responses.”

Field Officers will earn up to $21.61 per hour, receive motor vehicle allowances and enjoy flexible working hours for up to 3 months.

Applicants must be Australian citizens or have the legal right to work in Australia, and hold a valid driver’s licence.

To view the applicant information kits and to apply online, visit www.abs.gov.au/careers. Applications close on 29 May 2016.



Video, audio and stills are available for download through the following link
https://abs-au.sharefile.com/d-s271a80c1b72439aa

Video can be previewed at https://vimeo.com/164669209
Password: August92016



Key 2016 Census dates:

2 May 2016Field Officer recruitment begins
Late July to early Aug 2016Instruction letters and forms will be delivered
9 August 2016Census night
Mid Aug to late Sept 2016Field visits
April 2017The first results from the 2016 Census released



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