2011 CENSUS INFORMATION


UPDATES

The Census of Population and Housing is the largest statistical collection undertaken by the ABS and aims to:

• accurately measure the number of people in Australia on Census Night, their key characteristics, and the dwellings in which they live; and
• provide timely, high quality and relevant data for small geographic areas and small population groups.

The Census is conducted every five years, with the next planned for the night of 9 August 2011. The scope of the Census is all people in Australia on Census Night, other than foreign diplomats and their families. Visitors to Australia are counted regardless of how long they have been in the country or how long they plan to stay. More information on the Census can be found in How Australia Takes a Census, 2006 (cat. no. 2903.0), which will be updated in the lead up to the 2011 Census. The content of the 2011 Census will basically be the same as for the 2006 Census - find out more in Census of Population and Housing: Nature and Content, 2011 (cat. no. 2008.0).

The 2011 Census results will be released on the new geography standard, the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) - further information can be found in Discussion Paper: Census of Population and Housing - ABS Views on 2011 Census Output Geography, 2011 (cat. no. 2911.0.55.002). The smallest geographical unit of the ASGS for which full 2011 Census statistics will be published will be the Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1). The SA1 will be composed of aggregates of Meshblocks and for the ACT will, for the most part, be the same as the 2006 Census Collection Districts (CDs).


eCENSUS

For the 2006 Census, the option of completing the form electronically (eCensus) was provided for the first time. It proved to be a big hit in the ACT with 16% of households filling in their Census form on-line. This was not surprising as the ACT had the highest rate of computer use and Internet connection in Australia. An important element for the 2011Census will be to further encourage households to make greater use of eCensus, for the ACT this is expected to be over 30% in 2011. The eCensus option provides a secure environment and a more efficient collection method, which leads to faster processing of Census information, giving communities and decision makers earlier access to results.

Important dates over the next 14 months
		Dates
Meshblocks finalised		30 Jun 2010
Workload design complete		30 Sep 2010
Divisional Managers
	Recruitment	Oct-Dec 2010
	Training	Jan-Feb 2011
Area Supervisors
	Recruitment	Feb-Mar 2011
	Training	Apr-May 2011
Collectors
	Recruitment	Apr-May 2011
	Training	May-Jun 2011
Delivery of forms		29 Jul-8 Aug 2011
CENSUS DAY		9 Aug 2011
Collection		10-28 Aug 2011
Post collection activity		to 4 Sep 2011