User research and testing

The ABS conducts voluntary research and testing with members of the public to improve the design and content of our survey and census materials, products, dissemination channels and general communication. This includes usability tests, in-depth interviews, and focus groups. 

We may recruit participants for our research through a number of channels including: 

• commercial research organisations that you have chosen to sign up with for research purposes
• direct advertising by the ABS for research participants through online channels, by print media, public noticeboards and in person
• community networks and organisations who may advise you of the opportunity to be involved in research 
• after completing an ABS survey, we may ask if you agree to us contacting you in the future for further research and testing purposes.

During the participant recruitment process, the ABS will collect personal information in accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988. 

We collect your personal information to:

• assist with screening activities to select participants meeting our user testing criteria 
• contact you about your participation in our research.

When you express interest in user research conducted by the ABS, or if you are selected for participation in testing, we will explain to you the purpose and procedures of the research activity and seek your consent to be involved in that activity. You may withdraw your consent to participate in the ABS’ user research or testing activities at any time. If you withdraw your consent to participate, we will not ask you to have any further involvement in the research or testing activity. We will delete any personal information related to your participation in accordance with relevant legislative requirements.

To facilitate this research and during the testing sessions, we may collect personal information including, but not limited to: 

• contact details (e.g., name, your personal or direct work phone number or email address) 
• demographics and personal characteristics (e.g., age, sex, gender, location, income, marital status, occupation, education level) 
• information about your business (e.g., sole traders) 
• video recordings and/or audio recordings of you during the test (with your consent) 
• written transcripts of feedback provided during testing or research sessions. 

We may also collect sensitive information, as defined by the Privacy Act 1988, where relevant to the material being tested. This includes, but is not limited to: 

• racial or ethnic information 
• health and disability information 
• religious beliefs and affiliations. 

The ABS will either: 

• collect your personal information directly from you, or 
• receive your personal information from a commercial research or other organisation if you’ve registered with them or otherwise notified them of your willingness to participate in user research.

We comply with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Archives Act 1983 in the storage, access, use and destruction of your personal information collected. 

Your personal information is used by authorised ABS staff for research and testing purposes, to facilitate appointment planning and on occasion to train ABS staff in conducting this kind of research and testing. Only authorised ABS staff members will have access to the recorded sessions and notes scribed by ABS staff members present in the user testing session. We will also reference your responses in a de-identified manner in any research or testing reports. 

In accordance with the Privacy Act 1988, the ABS deletes names and contact details from other information as soon as reasonable when we no longer require them. Recordings used for training have identifying information such as names removed. We store de-identified information in the ABS’ secure environment for record keeping purposes and it is destroyed in accordance with relevant legislative requirements. 

We will transfer any information collected using third-party platforms (e.g., Microsoft Forms, and video recordings of the user testing sessions using Microsoft Teams) to a secure ABS environment. We will then delete this information from third-party platforms as soon as possible following the test sessions.

We use third-party providers, such as technology services providers (e.g., Microsoft) to help us with our business activities. These third-party providers are legally bound to meet privacy standards and our expectations. They will also have their own privacy policies, processes, and security protections which we review to ensure their approach to privacy reflects our own. 

The ABS will not share your personal information:

• in a way that would identify you 
• with private organisations, such as direct marketing companies 
• with other government agencies for compliance or regulation activities, or for any other purpose.

Unless required under Australian law and we will not disclose your personal information overseas.

26/08/2024 - This release was updated to further clarify how we use and protect your personal information.  

The ABS Privacy Policy for Statistical Information and the ABS Privacy Policy for Managing and Operating our Business provides more information including: 

• how you can access, correct, or update your personal information, or 
• how to make a complaint if you feel we have not adequately protected your privacy. 

Email: privacy@abs.gov.au 

Post: ABS Privacy Officer 

Australian Bureau of Statistics 

Locked Bag 10, Belconnen ACT 2617