Census returns now topping 80 per cent

More than 80 per cent of households have completed the census.

More than 80 per cent of households have completed the census, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics insisting that, despite its shambolic launch, the collection of data is running ahead of schedule.

The number of households to have completed the census passed seven million yesterday, more than three weeks after cyber ­denial-of-service attacks on ­census night on Aug­ust 9 prevented many from filling out the form online for almost 48 hours.

ABS spokesman Adam Gleeson said that 38,000 field officers had been employed nationwide to remind people to do the census and assist them to complete the form. “We are ahead of schedule and on track for a very high-quality census,” he said.

Unlike the previous census in 2011, where only one-third of people opted to complete their survey online, this time the ABS made digital the default and hoped for two-thirds of households to lodge their details electronically. The bureau said 62 per cent of forms this year had been filled in online.

Census field officers have now visited almost three million homes. The deadline for completing the census is September 23.