It’s Census time again. Next Tuesday, August 9, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) will attempt to collect data relating to the 24 million or so people currently in this country.
It’s something that happens every five years as the authorities attempt to take a snapshot of the population, garnering details about individuals all on one pre-determined night.
And there is nowhere to hide for grey nomads or anyone else. Taking part in the Census is compulsory and people can be fined up to $180 per day for failing to complete and return the survey. The ABS warns that this very much includes people travelling interstate or in remote areas or staying at caravan parks or camping grounds.
This year, the ABS hopes that more than 65% of households will complete the Census online. The majority of people will be given a 12-digit code which will allow them to fill out the form on the internet. However, anybody can still fill out a paper form if they request one
The ABS says that grey nomads and others staying at caravan parks will be given a form by the accommodation service provider. On the front page of the paper form will be their code, which can be used to complete the Census online. Guests can either complete the paper form and return it to caravan park reception, or visit www.census.abs.gov.au to complete their form online. For those travelling in remote areas, Special Field Officers will be found at pre-identified locations – such as roadhouses, rest areas, or free camping sites – to provide people with a Census form or information on how to complete the Census online. Visitor centres are a good place to find out about these locations. Or people can contact the Census Inquiry Service on this form.
If a traveller is camping in a remote location or stopping roadside and can’t get to one of the listed locations, then they are asked to call the Census Inquiry Service (CIS) on 1300 214 531 and provide their location (eg. I’ve stopped roadside 60km east of Kalgoorlie). They will then receive their 12-digit code that can be used to complete their Census form online the next time they have internet access.
If grey nomads are in an area that doesn’t have phone reception, then they should record their location on Census night and contact the Census Inquiry Service when they do have phone reception.
And for long-term travellers who may be wondering – for the purposes of the Census –  a private home is a self-contained dwelling intended for long-term residential use. As well as houses or units, this can also include caravans or even tents.
We’re in Childers ,Qld moving towards Maryborough then south. Where can we get our form for online completion
Caravan parks, rest stops, or phone the census help line 1300 214 531
Whats not clear here or anywhere on ABS website is “when” the necessary forms will be provided (by caravan park managers, Special Field Officers or whatever). If its not until the 9th August, we don’t know if we have a problem until the 9th August. And good luck phoning for help on the 9th August …..
Emails to ABS have, of course, gone unanswered.
Hope that the census web site does not crash on the night if 65% of Australians are expected to register on line. I won’t be paying any fine if it does crash.
I finally got through to the census help line after 7pm last night. The young man said if you don’t have a residential address, you should pick up a paper copy, but I insisted that I wanted to do it online and he texted me the code. He didn’t know what the household at my postal address would have to write. We have until 24 September to complete the census.
We will be at a free camping sight on the night, my question is what do I do with the form after we fill it out. Not sure when we will be back in into a town??
can we use the code which was sent to our home address to fill out the form as we are travelling?
How do we get the 12 digit code to complete the Census when we are away from home
We own our van and so we skip questions 57 & 58 but in doing so we are unable to tell them the site fee and who we pay it to. Are we reading this correctly?