August 18, 2016
The Australian Bureau of Statistics is reminding residents there’s still time to take part in the 2016 Census.
An ABS spokesperson said the online Census form down had been taken down on census night, August 9, as a “precautionary step to protect people’s data”.
However, since then more than half of Australian households had now completed the form.
Census Program head Duncan Young said the online form has been performing smoothly since it was re-opened.
“We thank the many Australians who have already completed the Census and we apologise again to everyone for the inconvenience caused on Census night,” Mr Young said.
“If you have not completed the Census, we remind you to complete it as soon as possible.
“Your information is safe and you won’t be fined for completing it after Census night, but it is important to complete the form either online or in paper as soon as possible.
“If you have lost your online Login or require a paper form, please call our help lines now and we will send you one.
“If you are having trouble accessing the online form, this might be due to the tight security protocols we have in place, so please try a different device.”
The ABS has 38,000 Census Field Officers now working across Australia to visit households.
They are reminding people to complete their Census, and make sure they have the Census materials they need.
Field Officers will be able to provide houses with a 12-digit Login code to facilitate online completion, or provide a paper form, with a blue Reply Paid Envelope.
Reminder letters containing 12-digit online Logins required to access the online form will also shortly be sent to households that have not yet returned a Census form.
Residents who don’t have a login or a paper form have been asked to wait for their letter or visit.
The Census Inquiry Service is still open seven days from 8:00am to 8:00pm local time to help with any questions people have about completing the Census online or on paper.
The dedicated Paper Form Request service is also still available 24 hours a day.
Important Census numbers:
- Translating and Interpreting Service: 13-14-50.
- Paper Form Request Service: 1300-820-275
- Census Inquiry Service: 1300-214-531
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