THE CENSUS IN REMOTE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
The census aims to count all people in Australia on census night and this includes people living in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Because of the unique cultural aspects of Indigenous society, the ABS has developed different census procedures and also uses special forms in these remote communities to ensure that the most accurate count possible is achieved for the Census.
In the lead up to the census, the Census Management Unit in each state and territory identifies the discrete communities where these different forms and procedures should be used. This decision is usually based on which communities have particular cultural differences or literacy and language difficulties which would make the use of the normal census forms impractical.
In these nominated discrete communities local people are recruited to be Collector Interviewers. Instead of the members of the community completing their own census form, the interviewers undertake interviews with the other members of the community and record the information on the Special Indigenous Forms. These forms are specially designed so that they can be used by interviewers and are also able to cater for the larger household sizes that are common in Indigenous communities. The same topics are covered on the Special Indigenous Forms as on the normal census form.
The special strategies used in remote communities also include special public relations and media activities, such as paid media advertising, a program of contact with community leaders, briefings for representatives of Indigenous media outlets and the use of posters and leaflets specifically designed for Indigenous communities.
In the lead up to the 2006 Census, representatives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and users of Indigenous census data have been consulted about the special procedures and forms used in remote communities. Following their input, a different form design is being tested and changes to procedures are also being trialled and evaluated. This testing is a vital part of ensuring that the procedures and forms used in remote communities, during the census, are continually improved and remain as effective as possible
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