Media release –
National
Tonight's the night to pause and make a difference9 August 2016 | CO/102Tonight is Census night. It’s our moment to pause and make a difference for Australia’s future. Head of the Census Program, Duncan Young said years of preparation have gone into the 2016 Census, to ensure it’s the easiest, safest and most accessible Census the country has ever had. “Census night is a time for everyone in Australia to pause and provide vital information that will help shape the future of our nation,” Mr Young said. “The information that will be given tonight will help estimate our population, which will be used to distribute government funds and plan for services for your community.” Mr Young reiterated that it’s okay if you can’t fill in your Census form tonight. It can be completed in the coming days. “If you haven’t received your Census material, don’t worry. You can complete the Census after August 9 – you still have plenty of time and you won’t be fined for being late. “Simply contact the Census Inquiry Service on 1300 214 531 or via our online contact form. To avoid expected long phone queues, please call after August 10. “Just be sure to complete the form as if it were Census night as soon as possible. Census Field Officers will begin visiting households that have not completed the Census from late-August to ensure that everyone can take part.” Those travelling overseas don’t have to complete the Census. Those travelling in Australia, will need to fill out a form wherever they are on tonight. People staying in a hotel, motel, caravan park or camping site will be provided with a form. For people travelling remotely, forms will be available from truck stops and camp sites, and there are have Special Field Officers to provide forms to people living and travelling in remote locations. Keep a look out for one of the 20 icons lighting up green around the country in celebration of Census night, and post a picture to our #MyCensus Facebook page. We’d love to see Australia go green. Use the #MyCensus tag on Twitter or Instagram to join the Census conversation and have your picture included as part of the visual collection of things we value as Australians. Visit mycensus.abs.gov.au for more information. For more information about the Census, visit census.abs.gov.au. Key 2016 Census dates:
Media inquiriesNational Media Manager (P) 02 6252 6617, 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday or 0429 955 731 outside of business hours (E) census.media@abs.gov.auThe ABS is committed to upholding the privacy, confidentiality and security of all the personal information it collects. Read more about our approach to privacy and our privacy policy on the ABS website. |