ABS ramps up national recruitment for the 2026 Census

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is now hiring more than 2,700 Field Managers for the 2026 Census.

Field Managers play a critical role in helping communities across Australia complete the Census.

Each Field Manager will train, lead and manage a team of up to 12 Field Officers in their local area.

Census National Spokesperson, Emily Walter, said Field Managers will be hired locally, where possible, to provide valuable local knowledge and support to Census staff on the ground in communities.

“To run a successful Census, we need to reach everyone across Australia, from our capital cities to our most remote towns,” Ms Walter said.

“While we expect most people will choose to complete the Census online, there are many people who will require extra support. Field Managers will play a key role in providing this support.”

As well as managing a team of Census Field Officers, Field Managers will help places like local hotels, hospitals and caravan parks to prepare for the Census because not everyone will be in a house on Census night.

“We’re looking for people who have experience training and supervising teams, and who are interested in flexible, temporary work beginning in April 2026,” Ms Walter said.

In addition to Field Managers, the ABS is also currently hiring Local Engagement Officers. For these jobs, the ABS is looking for people who have experience working with diverse communities, including people experiencing homelessness, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds, and people who speak languages other than English.

In coming weeks, the ABS will also open applications for Mobile Field Representatives, Remote Area Management team members and team leaders, and Community Field Officers.

People can visit www.census.abs.gov.au/jobs for more information and to join the 2026 Census Talent Community to be notified about future Census jobs.

We’re looking for people who have: 

• experience managing, training and supervising teams
• strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• connections to their community and local area knowledge
• ability to communicate sensitively and respectfully and consider different cultural and diverse backgrounds when communicating.

For specific jobs, the ability to speak a language/s other than English may be required. 

There are positions available in all major cities and regional areas nationwide. 

The hourly rate for Census Field Managers is $42.65 (inclusive of 25 per cent casual loading), plus superannuation.

For more information or to apply now, visit www.census.abs.gov.au/jobs

The Census is the most comprehensive picture of Australia’s population and housing. Census data tells us about the economic, social and cultural make-up of the nation.

Census data informs important decisions about transport, schools, health care, infrastructure and business. It also helps plan local services for individuals, families and communities. For example, knowing the number of people living in regional and remote areas informs where doctors are needed, and understanding local births and languages spoken at home links Australians to the community services they need.