Making it easier for you

We are improving the experience of participating in ABS surveys, so it is simpler for you.

This includes:

• modernising our technology and systems
• using existing data and reducing how often we ask for information
• designing surveys that are easier to complete 
• giving more value back to you.

We are making it easier for you to give us the information we need to help inform Australia’s important decisions.

This is part of a wider plan to use data better across government by 2030. 

We are improving how we collect data by creating secure, reliable, easy-to-use digital services and systems.

This includes:

• improving major surveys such as the Labour Force Survey 
• using digital-first approaches, in line with the Government’s commitment to providing digital services for all Australians
• improving our contact centre to provide better support
• replacing older systems with modern, secure technology
• using flexible systems that can grow and change over time.

We use new technology to make data collection and processing more efficient.

This includes computer tools that learn from data to:

• reduce manual work
• speed up how we process data
• improve accuracy and consistency.

For example, the Whole of Australian Government Occupation Coding Service is an online tool that automatically classifies job information. This reduces manual reporting and improves consistency and speed of work across government.

We are making greater use of data that governments and some businesses already have. This means we don’t ask you for the same information again.

Where it is safe and appropriate, we combine data from different sources. This means we can collect what we need while contacting fewer people, less often.

This helps us:

• run fewer surveys
• ask fewer questions in our surveys
• contact you less often
• reduce how often the same households and businesses are selected
• share the reporting effort more fairly across participants.

For example, we now use existing data to produce agricultural statistics. This means fewer surveys for farmers.

We regularly review and improve how we collect data to make surveys easier to complete.

We are currently working on:

• removing repeated questions across surveys
• reviewing and improving our forms
• using clear, simple questions.

Our goal is to collect the information we need with as little effort from you as possible.

We work closely with businesses, households, and government agencies to make reporting easier.

We do this by:

• listening to feedback
• testing and improving our processes
• working together to simplify reporting.

We understand that it takes time and effort to provide information.

We are working to give more value back by turning your information into statistics that help tell Australia’s story. Our statistics help to support better decisions across government, industry, and the community.

We do this by:

• working with communities to make data easier to understand and use
• creating interactive maps and visualisations to make data more accessible
• sharing statistics in engaging and relatable ways through social media 
• working with customers to answer specific data requests
• offering data services and tools for research and analysis.

All these changes are designed to make it easier for you to take part in ABS surveys.

These changes will:

• reduce the time and effort needed to provide information
• make surveys easier to complete
• reduce how often we contact you.

They also help us improve data quality and provide better support when you need it.