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 several 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, print media, public noticeboards and in person
• community networks and organisations who may tell you how to be involved in research
• after completing an ABS survey, we may ask if you agree to us contacting you in future for research and testing purposes.

During the participant recruitment process, the ABS will manage personal information in accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988. If you choose not to provide personal information, you may not be able to participate in our research or testing activities. 

We collect your personal information to:

• help us select the right participants for our testing
• 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. We de-identify your information before we analyse it, so findings can’t be linked to you or any other person. 

You may withdraw your consent to participate in the ABS’ user research or testing activities at any time by contacting the team conducting the study. If you withdraw your consent to participate, we will not ask you to have any further involvement in the research or testing activity. Research that has already been completed using your information can not be changed.

The collection of your personal information for user research and testing is voluntary and is not required by law. 

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

• contact details (such as your name, personal or direct work phone number or email address)
• demographics (such as your age, sex, gender, location, income, marital status, occupation, or education level)
• information about your business (for example, whether you are a sole trader)
• video and/or audio recordings of you during the session (if you consent)
• written transcripts of feedback you provide during the session. 

We may also collect sensitive information, as defined by the Privacy Act 1988, if this is 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 organisation or another organisation if you have registered with them or indicated that you are willing 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.  

We will use your personal information for research and testing, to facilitate appointment planning, and on occasion to train staff in conducting this kind of research and testing. Sometimes staff from independent research organisations and consultants work with us on these activities. Only ABS staff and these individual partners will have access to identifying information collected from user testing activities. When we report on research or testing, we will refer to your responses in a way that does not identify you. 

We manage the retention of personal information in accordance with the Archives Act 1983. We will destroy your personal information when we no longer need it and are legally able to destroy it.

We work with contracted third party providers, including technology partners, independent research organisations, and consultants, to support our user research activities. These contracted 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.  

Unless required or authorised under Australian law, 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, regulation, or any other purpose.

We will not disclose your personal information overseas. 

22/01/2026 - This release was updated to include further details on access to personal information and the complaints process.

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 have information about: 

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

These policies describe how we will respond to your complaint and what you can do if you are not satisfied with our response. You can contact the ABS Privacy Officer who will respond to your enquiries or assist with complaints.

By email: privacy@abs.gov.au 

By post: ABS Privacy Officer 

Australian Bureau of Statistics 

Locked Bag 10, Belconnen ACT 2616