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Media release –
National

A moment for young Australians to make a difference

13 April 2016 | CO/85

It’s National Youth Week—a time for young people around the country to take the spotlight, share ideas, have their voices heard and celebrate their contributions to the community.

National Youth Week is also a timely reminder to young Australians to make sure they take part in this year’s Census of Population and Housing on August 9.

Head of the 2016 Census Program, Duncan Young, said some of the themes for 2016 Youth Week, ‘It starts with us!’ and ‘Be the future’, aptly describe the Census.

“Census staff will be at the flagship event for National Youth Week in Western Australia, the KickstART Festival, to talk to young people and encourage participation,” Mr Young said.

“I’m excited to see how many young people complete the Census on their smartphones. It’s the first time this option has been available, making the Census accessible anywhere, anytime.

“The Census aims to count everyone in Australia on Census night. Young people are one of the largest undercounted groups in the Australian Census—a growing trend in each Census since 1996.

“Young people aged between 15 and 29 make up close to 21 per cent of our population and every one of them has the opportunity to help shape their own and their generation’s future simply by being included on a Census form.

“Missing the Census can mean that young people miss out on investment in services they care about including educational institutions, transport, housing or funding for activities such as National Youth Week,” he said.

Every single person in Australia on Census night needs to participate in the Census, whether you’re living in a share house, a university dorm, with your parents or even crashing on a friend’s couch, you need to be counted.

“Between late July and early August, most households in Australia will receive a letter giving them a unique Login number and instructions on how to complete the Census online,” Mr Young said.

“If you live with other people and you want to keep your personal information private, we can send you a personal Login for the online form or send you a paper form and reply paid envelope in the mail.

“Completing your Census online is quick, easy, secure and can be done in around 30 minutes for one person. It’s an easy way for young Australians to take a moment and make a difference so get online on August 9.”

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 30.2 per cent of people in Australia attended an educational institute and of these 21.6 per cent were in tertiary or technical institutions.

More than 705,000 people aged 15–29 have completed certificate level education, almost 560,000 have completed a bachelor degree and just over 240,000 have completed an advanced diploma or diploma.

Census data also revealed that 15–29 year olds make up just over 20 percent of the population; 15–19 year olds make up 6.5 per cent, 20–24 years olds make up 6.8 per cent and 25–29 year olds make up 7 per cent.

For more information on the 2016 Census of Population and Housing visit www.census.abs.gov.au.

Key 2016 Census dates:

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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