Australia’s biggest national survey, the Census, is on Tuesday night with the details to be used to plan for the future, including infrastructure like schools, hospitals and roads.
The Census happens every five years, a national survey Australians have been taking part in since 1911.
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It helps inform all sorts of things like government policy, infrastructure, health services and schools.
Most households will have received a letter that has a unique 16-digit number and a temporary password. You’ll need both to log in and complete the Census online.
Others may have a paper form which has a prepaid return envelope.
You need to include everyone who will spend the night at your home on Census night, including those who may just be visiting and those who usually live there but are away.
If you’re travelling in Australia, you still need to do the Census, but those overseas don’t.
The Census asks the usual questions like name, age, job and addresses, but for the first time Australians will be asked about gender and sexual orientation.
You can choose not to answer this question.
Census national spokeswoman Emily Walter said the data was crucial for planning services.
“If you use public transport, if you go to school or you need healthcare, this is the data that really supports providing those services in the area that you are,” she said.
The Census is compulsory. There are fines for those who refuse to do it or provide false information.
Findings from the data will start filtering out from next year.
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