International students - Census
We have received some enquiries whether or not international students are required to complete the Census form on Tuesday 9 August 2011.
The answer is “Yes”, the Census is compulsory as it provides vital planning information for Australia.
For more information regarding the Census, please read below an exert taken from the http://www.abs.gov.au/census website.
Shed some light on Census Night…
Everyone counts
Census Night is 9 August 2011 and we need your help to make it a success.
Why have a Census?
The Census provides vital planning information for both the government and private sectors, and for a wide variety of community groups. Grants to state and local government are based on information from the Census.
This information helps to shape your community and its future needs such as schools, hospitals and roads; and services for young people and the elderly.
That’s why it’s important you take part in the 2011 Census so that we can shed some light on your communities.
Is completing a Census form compulsory?
Yes, the Census is compulsory. The Census is authorised by the Census and Statistics Act 1905.
If you do not complete the Census form, the Australian Statistician has the power to direct you in writing to provide the information. The Census and Statistics Act 1905 provides for penalties of up to $110 a day for failure to complete and return a form.
Privacy and confidentiality
If you are concerned about your Collector seeing your answers, you can complete an eCensus or ask your Collector for a Privacy Envelope. Place your completed Census form in the envelope and seal it. The envelope will not be opened by your Collector. They will pass the sealed envelope on to their supervisor.
If someone in your household wants to complete the eCensus or a separate Census form for privacy reasons, just ask the Collector for a Personal Census Form and a Privacy Envelope, or phone the Census Inquiry Service on 1300 338 776.
Your personal information remains confidential to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Under the Census and Statistics Act 1905, the ABS must not release any information you provide in a way which would enable an individual’s or household’s data to be identified.
By law, organisations (like the Tax Office, Centrelink) cannot have access to personal information from the Census.
To ensure your eCensus information is delivered to the ABS securely, we have used the strongest encryption technology that current browsers will support.
The ABS will not initiate contact with you via email to request personal information or to provide you with a link to the eCensus website.
Need help?
If you need assistance to complete the Census form or need extra Census forms, simply ask your Collector or alternatively, you can phone the Census Inquiry Service on 1300 338 776 from 8:30am–8:00pm 7 days a week.
If you are deaf, hearing or speech impaired and need help with your Census form, phone the National Relay Service.
Always quote your Census Form Number shown at the top right of your form.
Adding value to the Census
In 2011, the ABS will bring together information from the 2011 Census with a sample of 2006 Census information to begin building a longer term picture of what happens to people over time. This continues work that began in the 2006 Census, expanding the range of statistical information available from the Census.
This long–term view will show how society changes, which groups are affected by these changes, and the outcomes for these groups. For example, this could be used to investigate how the labour force participation of parents affects the employment outcomes for their children.
It’s important to note that this project does not compromise individuals’ privacy. Name-identified information, and all Census forms are destroyed at the end of Census processing. In addition, it is illegal for the ABS to release any data that is likely to enable identification of a person or household, and anyone convicted of this faces fines of up to $13,200 or two years imprisonment, or both.
For more information on this phone 1300 338 776.
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