2026 Census application - Collection Notice

In preparation for every Census, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) collects feedback from individuals to inform a consistent user experience across the ABS Census application. 

The purpose of the collection of information from these user testing sessions is to better understand users’ experiences when signing in and resuming the Census form. Participation is entirely voluntary and participants can withdraw at any time during the process.

Some of the personal and sensitive information we collect helps the ABS to select participants for testing. 

Participants will be asked preliminary questions using technology service provider Microsoft via the platform Microsoft Forms (MS Forms). 

Selected interview participants will be interviewed on Microsoft Teams (MS Teams) and in person at ABS offices, in which the ABS will collect your personal and sensitive information through audio and visual content. 

The personal information collected from you will include:   

• First name  
• Telephone number  
• Email address  
• State/Territory/area of residence  
• Age (range) 
• Country of birth
• Household make-up
• English literacy
• Digital literacy
• Use of online services

The ABS will also collect and hold sensitive information that you provide which may include: 

• Gender
• Indigenous identity
• Privacy beliefs

We comply with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Archives Act 1983 in the storage, use and destruction of your personal information collected.  

Recorded sessions and notes scribed by ABS staff members present in the user testing session will be restricted to relevant ABS staff members.

The video recording of the user testing sessions and information collected on MS Forms, MS Teams and ABS systems will be deleted within 4 weeks following collection. Any deidentified information will be stored in the ABS’ secure environment for record keeping purposes and destroyed in accordance with relevant legislative requirements.

The ABS reserves the right to edit (for example, remove defamatory material or, where appropriate, de-identify personal or sensitive information) where necessary. 

Except for Microsoft in their role as technology service provider, the ABS will not: 

• share information in a way that would identify you  
• share information with private organisations, such as direct marketing companies 
• share information with other government agencies for compliance or regulation activities. 

Your personal information is not disclosed overseas.

The ABS Privacy Policy for Managing and Operating Our Business provides more information about how we handle your personal information including how you can access and/or correct your personal information, or make a complaint if you feel we have not adequately protected your privacy. The Policy describes how we will respond to your complaint, and what you can do if you are not satisfied with our response.

You can contact the ABS Privacy Officer who will respond to enquiries or assist with complaints:

By email: privacy@abs.gov.au 

By post: ABS Privacy Officer
Australian Bureau of Statistics
Locked Bag 10, Belconnen ACT 2617