2903.0.55.002 - How Australia Takes a Census, 2006  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 07/08/2006  First Issue
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MEDIA RELEASE
August 5, 2006
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
C31/2006
Online Census forms a big hit

The eCensus form is proving to be a popular method of completing the 2006 Census of Population and Housing survey.

Already, more than 45,000 Census forms have been completed and lodged online, well in advance of Census Night - Tuesday 8 August.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) would prefer that people waited until Census Night, or the days after Census Night, to complete their form online. This will ensure that all people who are in the dwelling on Census night, including any last-minute visitors, are counted. The eCensus site will be open until 28 August.
Forms completed online before Census Night (8 August) are nevertheless welcome and will be included in the Census count. If people are completing their Census form online before Census Night, 8 August, the information should reflect the expected situation on Census Night.

It should be noted the ABS is not promoting the eCensus via email. People wishing to complete their Census online should go to the eCensus web site by typing www.census.abs.gov.au in their browser's address bar, as instructed on the paper form delivered by Census Collectors.

If anyone receives an email which suggests they click on a link to access the eCensus, they should ignore it and contact the Census Inquiry Service on 1300 651 181 and report it.

Though the eCensus web site is safe, recent reports suggest a limited number of PCs may be infected by a virus or viruses. When using online services such as Internet banking or eCensus, it is important to consider the security of your PC. Information on how to secure your PC can be found on the Internet. Examples of this information can be found at www.microsoft.com (and then clicking on the "Security" link) and at the AusCERT site at www.auscert.org.au and clicking on the "Protecting your computer from malicious code" link.

If you have any doubts about the security of your PC you should use the paper form.