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Media release –
National

247 special Australians needed to help count remote Australia

15 February 2016 | CO/84

Have you ever wanted to explore the Australian outback while getting paid to do it? This might be the break you have been looking for.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is looking for 247 people to fulfil its most unique roles in the 2016 Census workforce.

Up to 104 Remote Area Mobile Team (RAMT) Leaders and 143 Remote Area Mobile Team Members will travel Australia’s most remote regions, and will recruit, train and manage up to four locally-based field staff to make sure everyone completes a Census form correctly in their area.

“RAMT Members will make sure the Census captures everyone in a number of remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Western Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australia,” said Head of the Census 2016 Census Program, Duncan Young.

“They will also help to collect information from some other dwellings in remote areas, such as pastoral properties, mining camps, road-houses, and national parks.”

2011 Census RAMT Leader, Eddie Chisholm coordinated the collection of Tomato Island (NT) – 300 km south-east of Katherine.

“It’s fairly remote place. We had a number of people that had to be counted, including tourists and grey nomads who were camped along the riverside.

“To see the look on their faces when I came out of nowhere to take their details to be counted in the Census was such a laugh. Everybody was very happy about that,” Mr Chisholm said.

“The 2016 Census aims to count 10 million dwellings and approximately 24 million people in Australia. Our RAMT Members will be a vital part of our workforce. Without them we can’t count people living or working in remote regions,” Mr Young said.

RAMT Members must have good knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander community protocols and demonstrated cultural awareness. Experience in off road (4X4) driving will also be highly desirable.

RAMT employees can earn $45.51 per hour (Team Leaders) and $34.76 per hour (Team Members) inclusive of 25% loading. Contracts start in April and will run for up to six months.

Applications close on the 21 February 2016. For Application Information Kits and details on how to apply visit www.abs.gov.au/careers

Applications for Area Supervisors are also currently open and close on 21 February. Application Information Kits and details on how to apply can also be found at www.abs.gov.au/careers

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.

The Census will also track Australia’s changing social and economic landscape. For example, the 2011 Census revealed that 42,843 people were classified as living in the Remote Northern Territory.

For further information on the 2016 Census, visit census.abs.gov.au

Key 2016 Census dates:

21 February 2016 - Remote Area Mobile Team Members applications close

21 February 2016 - Area Supervisor applications close

2 May 2016 - Field Officer recruitment begins

Late July to early August 2016 - Instruction letters and forms will be delivered

9 August 2016 - Census night

Mid-August to late September 2016 - Field visits

First half of 2017 - The first results from the 2016 Census released


Media contact:
National Media Manager (P) 1300 175 070 (E) media@abs.gov.au

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