Why do I have to do this thing? The Census of Population and Housing 2016 explained

WHY do I have to do this thing? With the Census less than a week away, we’ve answered your most asked questions.

Census team preparing for Census day next Tuesday.

NEXT week, some nine million households will be asked by the Australian Bureau of Statistics to fill out Census forms, with most for the first time having the option to do it online.

The Census of Population and Housing is the largest peacetime logistical operation undertaken in Australia. This is what you need to know.

SERIOUSLY, WHY DO I HAVE TO DO THIS?

The Census provides an invaluable snapshot of the population every five years. The information is used to shape the country’s health, education, transport and infrastructure needs and gives an unparalleled anthropological insight into how our country has changed over time.

In the first Census in 1911, for example, the number of people identifying as having no religion was one in 250 people. At the last Census in 2011, it was one in five.

North Coogee resident Lucy Gibson with children Nathan, 8, and Annabelle, 5, and their dog Max. The last Census revealed their suburb is the fastest growing.

SO, WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T DO IT?

In short, astronomical fines. It’s illegal not to complete the Census and the fines for failing to do so are steep: $180 per day for each day that you don’t return the form, if you do so by the old-school paper method, and $1800 if you provide misleading information (we’re looking at you, Jack Mehoff). Might just be easier to fill it in, eh?

WILL I BE FINED IF I DON’T COMPLETE THE FORM ON CENSUS NIGHT?

No. While it’s ideal to complete the form on Census night, you have until September 23 to get it done. If you haven’t completed the form within two weeks, a Census field officer will come to your door to ensure you do by September 23. If you have missed out on a form, or lost it, they will be able to give you another one. Less than 100 fines were issued after the 2011 Census and they were only to those who refused to fill it in.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I’M NOT HOME?

If you’re staying with family and friends, just make sure to include yourself on their form.

If you’re at a hotel, caravan park, hostel, bed and breakfast or serviced apartment, you’ll need to get a form from the operators. Same goes for Airbnb, so if you rent out a room on the sharing app, best you get in touch with the Census Inquiry Service on 1300 214 531. International tourists also have to fill in the form.

If you’re planning to be somewhere remote, there will be special field officers at places such as truck stops and caravan parks who can provide you with a form or information on how to complete the census online.

If you’re out playing Pokemon Go, stop it.

Tweed Heads retirees Shirley Lenton, 85, and Christina Kay, 74, are ready for the Census. Picture Mike Batterham

I ALREADY HAVE MY 12-DIGIT LOGIN. CAN I COMPLETE THE CENSUS EARLY?

Yes. The Census is intended as a snapshot of the nation on the night of August 9 and ideally should be completed on that night. If you know exactly who will be home that night, feel free to fill it in early. If you don’t, it’s probably best to wait until the night. As of Friday morning, 200,000 households had already submitted their forms. Likewise, if you forget, the code is valid until September 23.

WHAT IF I LIVE IN A GRANNY FLAT OR BUNGALOW?

If you live in your own flat but it’s not a separate title, you will need to be included on the form of the main residence. If you’re in a share house or boarding with someone but don’t want them to see your personal information, you can call the Census Inquiry Service on 1300 214 531 to request your own personal form be sent. Remember, it doesn’t have to be done on Census night, so don’t panic if it comes a day or two late.

WHAT IF I’M NOT IN THE COUNTRY?

Free pass for you! You don’t have to fill it in. Just let the Australian Bureau of Statistics know before Census night by calling the CIS on 1300 214 531, so you don’t arrive home to one of those massive fines.

I GOT A PAPER FORM AND A 12-DIGIT LOGIN. WHAT DO I DO?

You should have already received a letter from the ABS addressed “the resident”, which has your 12-digit login and instructions on how to complete the Census online.

If you have also received a paper form, complete only one or the other — preferably the online version.

If you don’t have access to the internet, or prefer the traditional method, you can order a paper version. The instructions are in the letter from the ABS, or, you guessed it, you can call the CIS.

Times have changed since Janet Rankin, left, of Mt Eliza, pictured with census collector Ivy Nelson, completed her form.

ALL MY NEIGHBOURS GOT A LETTER BUT I DIDN’T. WHAT DO I DO?

You need to call the Census Information Service on 1300 214 531 to have another 12-digit login or paper form re-sent. You cannot receive your 12-digit login over the phone. Alternatively, you can wait for a Census field officer to visit your home. The field phase begins two weeks after Census night, in which collectors visit homes yet to fill out a form.

NO ONE IN MY NEIGHBOURHOOD RECEIVED A LETTER. WHAT DO WE DO?

You are probably one of the 20 per cent of Australians who will only have the option to fill in the paper form. Based on previous Census data, the ABS has identified areas where internet connectivity is low, or there are high percentages of elderly people. In these places, Census field officers will deliver paper forms by the traditional method. Many people did not receive their forms until after Census night last time, so again, don't worry if yours is late. You can always call the Census Information Service on 1300 214 531 if you are worried.

WHAT INFORMATION WILL I NEED TO HAVE READY TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS?

The Census will ask you a range of questions you should be able to answer off the top of your head, such as your age, gender, relationship status and residential status.

If you have moved in the last year or last five years, you’ll need those addresses, because you will be asked about that.

You will be asked about your annual income, which is your total income — so salary plus any other income, such as that from a rental property, shares or other investments.

You will also need to fill in basic details of anyone who might be away from home for the night, such as age, gender and their relationship to you.

However, that person will need to be included on the Census form of the residence where they are spending the night.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO COMPLETE?

About two million people submitted their forms online prior to Census day. The average completion time has been about 27 minutes, compared to 35 minutes in the 2011 census. Doing it the old-fashioned way will take you a bit longer.

SHOULD I TICK THE RELIGION I WAS BAPTISED IN, EVEN THOUGH I DON’T PRACTICE?

A scare campaign, run by right-wing activists, suggested that ticking the “no religion” box would make Islam the predominant religion in Australia. In the 2011 Census, 61.1 per cent of respondents identified as Christian, followed by 22.3 per cent who identified as having no religion. Just 2.2 per cent of people identified as Muslim. There were more people who identified as Buddhists. Hinduism grew faster than any other religion.

If you have been born into a religion but no longer identify with it, mark no religion. If you still regard yourself as a member of that religion, mark that as your religion. The Census is a valuable record of changing social patterns, and one of the greatest of the past century has been the rapid decline of Christianity.

WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENS TO ALL THAT PERSONAL INFORMATION?

Privacy worries have been a major concern for a lot of people in the country’s first large-scale digital Census.

The ABS says the information you give is not shared with any other government departments or agencies such as the police, Australian Taxation Office or Centrelink.

It is legally bound to protect the privacy of everyone who does the Census and will not release information in a way that will identify any individual or household.

After four years, in August 2020, the ABS will destroy names and addresses.

Don Hewitt, 87, and Beatrice Forster, 91, will fill in the paper form. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

BUT WHAT ABOUT HACKERS?

Names and addresses will be stored separately to questions and answers, the ABS says, and never recombined. The site is encrypted and the ABS also says it has employed hackers to crack the site to ensure it is secure.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST US?

The 2011 Census cost about $440 million, the ABS said, or about $19 per person.

A big chunk of that cost, $159 million, went on the salaries of the 43,000 Census collectors.

The move to digital this year will reduce the number of collectors required and is expected to save taxpayers about $100 million.

A Census team preparing for Census day. The digitisation of this year’s Census means far fewer collectors are required this year.

WAIT, WHEN IS IT AGAIN?

The night of Tuesday, August 9. Put it in your phone, now (see aforementioned information about fines above).