Australia has the numbers: 2001 Census, Aug 2001

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MEDIA RELEASE

August 27, 2001
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
C48/2001


Australia has the numbers: 2001 Census

    Interviewers from the Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) will today commence the follow-up survey conducted after each census, called the Census Post Enumeration Survey, to assess how successful the 2001 Census has been.

    According to John Struik, head of the national census programme, a small sample of the more than seven million households in Australia will be selected at random to participate in what is essentially a quality assurance exercise.

    Selected households have been sent a letter which answers the most common queries that people have about the exercise.

    "The questions asked in the survey are straightforward and include asking where each household member could have been counted in the Census," said Mr Struik.

    "The survey questions will normally take just a few minutes to answer and can usually be answered by one adult member of the household, for the whole household."

    "The 2001 Census has gone very smoothly and, apart from a few isolated households, the collection of forms has been completed," Mr Struik said. "If householders still have their census form they should call 137 219 to arrange for its return."

    The follow-up survey will be conducted from Monday August 27 until Saturday September 8.

    The ABS has commenced processing the fresh wave of statistical information about Australia - always welcome by community organisations, the private sector and governments at the end of one five-year census cycle and the beginning of the next.

    "I would like to express the ABS's thanks to the combined efforts of the community, our staff, stakeholders and the media for helping the ABS throughout the 2001 Census period," Mr Struik said.