2011 Census of Population and Housing Submission Guidelines

This page provides guidelines for people considering making submissions on topics and/or procedures for the 2011 Census.

Criteria for Census topics
Name and contact details
Authorisation question
What happens after submissions close?
ABS surveys
Further information


Criteria for Census topics

A set of criteria is used to judge the suitability of topics for a Census. The questions included in the Submission Form relate to these four criteria, which are:


Topic is of major national importance
    Topics selected for a Census must have specific purposes which are of national importance. There must be a demonstrated need for the Census data for policy development, planning and program monitoring.

    Submissions proposing the inclusion of new topics should clearly indicate the value of the information by showing the uses to which it will be put. Submissions should also spell out the specific consequences if the topic is not included in the Census.

    Need for data for small population groups or small geographic areas

    Because the Census covers all households, it can produce accurate information at the small geographic area level or about small population groups, and enables cross-classification with other characteristics collected in the Census.

    Submissions proposing the inclusion of new topics should clearly demonstrate why this information is needed at the small area level or for small population groups.

    Information required for broad geographic areas only (e.g. at the state or national level) may be better obtained by other means (e.g. sample surveys) depending on the detail of the cross-classification required. If the need is restricted to information about a few specific small areas, other methods could be more appropriate.

    Availability of other data sources

    Consideration should be given to whether data are available from other sources. Similar or surrogate data may be collected by another organisation, there may have been surveys already conducted or planned to be conducted by the ABS, or the data may be available from administrative records.

    The ABS produces an extensive range of information from economic censuses and surveys, administrative sources, and a comprehensive program of population surveys. While the ABS population surveys are not able to collect the detailed information that can be obtained from the Census for small groups or small areas, there are general advantages associated with interviewers collecting the data rather than the self-enumeration method used in the Census.

    Topic is suitable for inclusion in the Census

    In the Census, information is collected by 'self-enumeration'. Each household is required to fill in the Census form with relatively little assistance from the Census Collector. Self-enumeration, and the need to ensure that the large Census operation is conducted as efficiently and effectively as possible, impose certain constraints on the type of topics included, in order to minimise the reporting burden on households and control Census costs. Questions asked on the Census form need to be readily understood by all householders.

    Topics which require detailed explanation to ensure accurate answers are unlikely to be answered correctly. Research has shown that people often do not read the explanations which accompany questions. Questions which are controversial or which could cause adverse reactions may also not be answered correctly. Such questions could also affect the quality of other responses. Information about these topics may require interviewer based collection methods.

    Name and contact details

    The Submission Form includes a question asking for the name and contact details of the person or organisation making the submission. These details must be completed.

    Anonymous submissions will not be considered.

    Authorisation question

    The ABS may make public the views put forward in your submission. The information provided in the submission would mainly be used to summarise the case for or against a topic, or to answer questions from members of Parliament about the number and nature of submissions received.

    However, the ABS will not publish the names of persons or organisations making submissions without first obtaining their permission to do so. The Submission Form includes a question that asks whether the person or organisation agrees to the ABS making public reference to their name or organisation name in relation to their submission.

    What happens after submissions close?

    Following assessment of submissions, final recommendations on the nature and content of the 2011 Census will be discussed with the Australian Statistics Advisory Council (ASAC) in late 2008. The ABS will then make a submission to the Government, including recommendations on the nature and content of the 2011 Census. A decision on the content of the 2011 Census is expected to be known by the end of 2009. People who have provided submissions will be advised of the outcome.

    ABS surveys

    Current publications and other products released by the ABS are available from the Statistics View. The ABS also issues a daily Release Advice on the web site which details products to be released in the week ahead.

    Further information

    If you have any queries about the submission process for the 2011 Census, or require further information, please email 2011.census@abs.gov.au or telephone 1300 175 070.