BIG BROTHER The idiot’s guide to Census night: everything you actually need to know
BY: Kartya Vucetic
Once every five years, Australia collectively remembers that the government would quite like to know who actually lives here.
And if the suspiciously official-looking Census letter sitting unopened on your kitchen bench has only just caught your attention, congratulations. Census night is officially here.
Tonight, on Tuesday 11 August, the ABS is taking its latest snapshot of Australia. So here’s what you actually need to know.
Do I actually have to do it?
Yes. The Census is compulsory, and everyone in Australia on Census night needs to be accounted for. That includes citizens, visa holders and overseas visitors.
Unfortunately, this isn’t one of those government emails you mark as read and hope quietly disappears into the ether.
Is it online?
For most people, yes. Most households have received a letter containing a 16-digit Census number and temporary password. Head to the Census website, enter those details, complete the form and submit it online. Apparently it should only take approximately 10 minutes per person.
Alternatively, you can request a paper form instead.
Do I have to do it tonight?
Not technically. You can complete the Census once you’ve received your instructions, provided you know where you’ll be staying on Census night.
So if you’ve already done it, congratulations on being considerably more organised than the rest of us.
Who goes on my form?
Generally, everyone staying at your household tonight. So yes, if your situationship has accidentally picked Census night for a midweek sleepover, congratulations on reaching an important administrative milestone together.
What if I’m staying somewhere else?
You still need to be counted. Generally, you’re included wherever you’re staying tonight, whether that’s home, a friend’s place, a hotel or elsewhere in Australia. There are separate rules for people temporarily away from their usual household.
And that’s basically it
Find the letter, log in, answer the questions and hit submit. If you don’t, you risk being fined a whopping $364 each day you’re late.
Then, we can all forget about the damn Census for another five years.
