ENUMERATION OF ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE, ETHNIC GROUPS AND THE HOMELESS
Targeted procedures will be implemented to ensure that the coverage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the homeless and ethnic groups is as complete as possible. These procedures will be further developed from those used successfully in the 2006 Census.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
The Indigenous Enumeration Strategy is a collection of procedures which identify and address cultural and other barriers to the effective enumeration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The strategy also encompasses Census awareness activities aimed at encouraging participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Census.
The strategy covers the enumeration of:
- discrete communities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households in rural and urban areas.
A 2006 Census Indigenous Enumeration Strategy Consultative Committee was established in April 2003 to guide the development of this strategy. This group comprised external stakeholders and internal representatives from the ABS. It is expected that a similar committee will be established to provide advice for the development of the 2011 Census Indigenous Enumeration Strategy.
While in previous Censuses this strategy has mainly focused on those people residing in remote and discrete communities, developments for the 2011 Census will include a heightened focus on those living in rural and regional centres.
The Homeless
The Homeless Enumeration Strategy involves a range of approaches which recognise and address social and cultural barriers to the effective enumeration of homeless people. The strategy also emphasises Census awareness activities aimed at encouraging homeless people to participate in the Census.
The strategy provides a range of tactics and suggestions encompassing the enumeration of:
- 'primary homeless', that is homeless people on the street or without a roof over their head
- 'secondary homeless', that is homeless people who move frequently from one form of temporary shelter to another
- 'tertiary homeless', that is homeless people who live in boarding houses on a medium to long term basis.
Ethnic groups
The Ethnic Enumeration Strategy is a framework of procedures aimed at facilitating and encouraging participation in the Census from the many ethnic and national groups that exist throughout Australia.
The overall aims of the strategy are:
- the identification of ethnic groups, especially those communities likely to be missed or undercounted
- awareness raising by explaining the purpose of the Census and encouraging cooperation
- the provision of appropriate assistance to those people who may need it, particularly those who may have been undercounted in previous Censuses and people who are likely to have difficulty understanding English.
Additional Strategies
Developments for the 2011 Census will also explore the need for an increased range of special enumeration strategies to support a broader range of population groups with unique issues that affect their ability to participate in the Census. One such example is a strategy to cover the increasing numbers of people travelling throughout Australia during the Census period who are difficult to contact.
Review of procedures for 2011 Census
Users wanting further information on, or input into, the Indigenous, Homeless and/or Ethnic Enumeration Strategies should telephone 1300 175 070 or email <2011.census@abs.gov.au>.
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