2903.0.55.002 - How Australia Takes a Census, 2006  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 24/07/2006  First Issue
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MEDIA RELEASE

July 24, 2006
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
VIC143/2006

Expect a knock on your door…Census is coming!

Collectors will start knocking on the front doors of Melbourne homes this week to deliver Census forms for the upcoming Census.

A team of 30,000 Collectors has been recruited, 13 million forms have been printed and now it’s up to householders to play their part in the Census.

The Census of Population and Housing will take place on Tuesday 8 August.

Director Population Census, Andrew Henderson said the Census is an important opportunity to reassess what is happening in the suburbs of Melbourne.

“For many suburbs a lot has changed since the last Census in 2001. This year’s Census is an opportunity for every community member to help define their neighbourhood,” Mr Henderson said.

“What is the profile of the people in your community? What types of industries do they work in? Are there mainly older people or younger people? Are there particular areas of wealth or disadvantage? The Census gives us an insight into all these things.”

“The five-yearly Census enables the Australian Bureau of Statistics to develop a portrait of our population. This is important to help governments plan for the future of our suburbs, cities and nation.”

Mr Henderson said the Census is a resource for all Australians and it is important to the accuracy of the Census that everyone completes the Census form.

From Friday 28 July to Tuesday 8 August, Collectors will deliver Census forms to every home in the nation. They will return to retrieve your completed form in the three weeks after Census Night.

For the first time this year, people also have the option of completing their form online with eCensus. Householders will receive a sealed envelope containing a PIN with their usual paper form which will include instructions on how to complete the form online.

More information, including interesting facts about the Census is available at www.abs.gov.au/census

To arrange an interview with Mr Henderson or a photo opportunity with a local Collector contact: Census Inquiry Service - phone 1300 362 883.