This notice explains how the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) collects and uses your personal information for our business surveys. We give you this notice because the Privacy Act 1998 requires it.
This Collection Notice applies to business surveys effective 2 September 2025.
How the ABS collects your information
The ABS collects your information so we can produce statistics. We are allowed to do this under the Census and Statistics Act 1905.
You may take part in our surveys:
- online
- over the phone
- using a paper form.
If you complete a survey online, we also collect some personal information when you create an online account.
The ABS may also collect personal information through face-to-face interviews.
The ABS will either receive your personal information:
- directly from you
- from your business representative (e.g. accountant, tax agent)
- from one of our data collection partners
- through the Australian Business Register
- from publicly available sources of information.
What information the ABS collects
The personal information we collect depends on the survey. It may include but is not limited to:
- name
- role
- mobile phone number
- email address
- signature.
We also collect business characteristics. This includes the business/organisation’s address, email addresses, and phone numbers.
Your survey information letter explains exactly what your survey asks about. You can also read more about your survey by selecting it from our list of Current surveys of businesses and organisations.
Why the ABS collects your information
The ABS uses your information to produce statistics. These statistics help governments, businesses, and communities make decisions on a wide range of economic, social, and environmental matters.
We also use your contact details to:
- stay in touch with you
- send reminders
- manage and improve how we run our surveys.
We may contact you by mail, email, phone, or SMS.
Use and disclosure
We use your information to produce statistics. These statistics are released in a way that does not identify any individual.
In limited cases, the ABS can share lists of characteristics of businesses or organisations. This is only done under strict legal conditions. For more information, refer to: Release of lists of business characteristics.
Do you have to complete these surveys?
For our compulsory surveys, if the business/organisation does not complete the survey, you may receive a notice in writing requiring you to do so. Under the Census and Statistics Act 1905, we can require you to complete the survey or answer the questions.
You can find more details on legal obligations and consequences at Business Surveys Full Collection Notice.
Privacy Policy
Our privacy policies explain how to:
- make a privacy enquiry or complaint
- request access to your personal information
- request corrections to your information.
You can contact us for more information or to request a hard copy of our privacy policies:
Email: privacy@abs.gov.au
Phone: 1300 135 070
Post: Privacy Officer
Australian Bureau of Statistics
Locked Bag 10
Belconnen ACT 2616
More information
For more information about the ABS’s legal authority and the laws that guide our work, visit Business Surveys Full Collection Notice.