2011 Census News Release

Seaworthy Census Collectors needed in the Northern Beaches!

The Australian Bureau of Statistics is looking for a record 300 Census Collectors throughout the Northern Beaches area to help conduct the Census on 9 August 2011 - including seaworthy recruits!

Commuting up creeks in tinnys, dodging metre long lace monitors and braving stormy crossings to Scotland Island in the dead of winter, will all be in a day’s work for newly appointed Area Supervisor Jessica Barr and her team of Census Collectors.

Jessica’s territory, which takes in Scotland Island, Great Mackeral Beach, Elvina Bay and Lovett Bay, is home to some of the most inaccessible households in Sydney.

“We are certainly going to need seaworthy Collectors. If you don’t use a boat or a barge, you swim to get around in this neck of the woods." Jessica laughs.

According to the 2006 Census there were 642 people living on Scotland Island and 131 at Elvina Bay.

“It will be a challenge but this is the perfect job if you are looking for something different that gives back to your community."

"I think it’s a real dream job. Beautiful bushland, wonderful beaches and fabulous people. I love working from home and helping out this wonderful close-knit community," Jessica Barr adds.

Once appointed, the 300 Northern Beaches Census Collectors will join an army of 8,200 in NSW who will pound the pavement to deliver and collect more than four million Census forms to NSW's 3.1 million households.

Census Collectors will receive between $1,300 and $2,800 for the casual position and will be employed from 1 July until 8 September 2011.

Applications are open from 9 April until 5 May. Apply online at www.abs.gov.au/census or call 1800 420 182.