Archived content. See ABS Website for latest information and statistics
ABS Home

Census home > News & media > Media resources > Media releases

Media release –
South Australia

17 special Australians needed to help count remote South Australia

16 February 2016 | SA/54

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 17 people to fulfil its most unique roles in the 2016 Census workforce.

Up to 10 Remote Area Mobile Team (RAMT) Leaders and seven Remote Area Mobile Team Members will travel SA’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 South Australia,” said South Australia Census Director, Lisa Moutzouris.

“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,” Ms Moutzouris 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 44,212 people were classified as living in the Remote South Australia.

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 Aug 2016Instruction letters and forms will be delivered
9 August 2016Census night
Mid Aug to late Sept 2016Field visits
First half of 2017The first results from the 2016 Census released



Media inquiries

National Media Manager (P) 02 6252 6617 (E)
census.media@abs.gov.au

The ABS Privacy Policy outlines how the ABS will handle any personal information that you provide to us.

Media resources

Media releases

Media fact sheets

Images

Archived content. See ABS Website for latest information and statistics