The 2011 Census - Your chance to have a say

While continuing to deliver more new and exciting products and services from the 2006 Census, the ABS is turning its attention to the next Census of Population and Housing to be held in August 2011.

The ABS will soon be inviting public comment on the content and procedures of the next Census. The invitation to have a say in the way the nation’s largest statistical collection is undertaken is in the Information Paper: 2011 Census of Population and Housing: ABS Views on Content and Procedures to be released on 15 October 2007.

This is the first in a series of information papers about the 2011 Census. It marks the first step in the public consultation process for 2011 and outlines ABS proposals for the next Census, including:

• procedures for conducting the Census
• arrangements to protect the privacy of individuals
• measures to ensure the confidentiality of the information collected
• topics to be included
• topics under review, including new topic proposals
• topics to be excluded

How do I make a submission?
Submissions can be lodged either online, electronically by email or in hardcopy. The submission period will open on 15 October 2007 when the Information Paper is released and will close on 31 March 2008. Users of Census data and interested members of the public are invited to make submissions on any aspect of the Census.

The Information Paper and Submission Form will be available on the ABS website (for free download) at www.abs.gov.au/2011censusviews from 15 October 2007. Information and guidelines about making a submission will also be available from the website.

Information Sessions on 2006 Census products and 2011 Census Topic Consultation are planned for each capital city during October and November 2007. These meetings are open to all interested members of the public and provide an opportunity to hear more about plans for the next Census, meet ABS staff and ask questions.

In addition to providing copies of the Information Paper to people and organisations with an interest in Census data, the ABS will notify the public of the release of the Information Paper through:

• advertisements placed in major newspapers across the country
• media releases
• the ABS website

What happens next?
Following the assessment of submissions and consultation meetings, recommendations on the content and procedures of the 2011 Census will be discussed with the Australian Statistics Advisory Council later in 2008. The ABS will then prepare a submission to the Federal Government during 2009. A final decision on the 2011 Census topics is expected to be made by the Federal Government in late 2009. The ABS will then release a further Information Paper outlining the final nature and content of the 2011 Census.

All individuals or organisations who have made submissions will be advised of the final outcomes.

For any further information, please contact Anabel Thomasse on (02) 6252 5751.