Help tell your community’s story – join our remote area team

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is recruiting over 300 Census remote area team roles across Australia for the 2021 Census.

The teams will comprise of Remote Area Management Team Leaders and Remote Area Management Team Members. Both roles have responsibility for ensuring that people in remote and very remote areas are counted in the Census including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and people in national parks and pastoral stations.

Andrew Henderson, Census Executive Director and National Spokesperson said, “remote area teams will manage the collection of Census data in the field by conducting interviews to ensure people from all cultures and communities are included in this important count.

“Team leaders will be responsible for the recruitment and management of remote field staff. These teams will conduct the Census count in remote areas including outstations and follow up on households that have not completed their Census.”

The focus is on recruiting candidates within the local area that have strong connections to remote communities.

The roles require a high level of administration, technological and communication skills to ensure all field records are kept up to date. Remote first aid and 4WD competency is desirable in job applications.

Census remote area teams work in partnership with Engagement Managers from the ABS Centre of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics.

Adrian Dodson-Shaw, a proud Yawuru, Arrernte and Kaytetye man and Assistant Director at the Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics said, “by helping people participate in the Census, remote area teams are contributing to their communities. These teams will be empowering their communities to inform Census data, from which funding decisions are made about their community services.” 

Please note Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply. A number of positions are subject to affirmative measures.

To view the applicant information kits and to apply, visit www.abs.gov.au/census. Applications close on 22 March 2021.

Applicants for the Census Remote Area Management Team Leaders must have strong communication and engagement skills. They must have experience managing teams and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  

Applicants for the Census Remote Area Management Team Members must have communication and engagement skills. Experience working in teams and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is desirable.

Both roles require a high level of administration, technological and communication skills to ensure all field records are kept up to date to allow for operational intelligence reporting. The roles involve travel to various work areas as required, which may include urban, regional or remote areas and outstations.

Remote first aid and 4WD competency is highly desirable. Where possible, remote area teams will be recruited from within their area.

There are 115 Census Remote Area Management Team Leader and 225 Census Remote Area Team Member positions available across remote and very remote areas of Australia and in regional towns.

To view the applicant information kits and to apply, visit www.abs.gov.au/census. 

Applications for Remote Area Management Team Leaders close on 22 March 2021.

Applications for Remote Area Management Team Members close on 10 May 2021.

The Census is a snapshot of who we are and tells the story of how we are changing. It is one of the largest and most important statistical collections undertaken by the ABS.

While the Census will be held on 10 August 2021, in remote areas, Census is conducted over an extended period between July and August. This is to allow time for remote teams to cover multiple communities and large areas, as well as conducting interviews with households as required.

Census data tells us about the economic, social and cultural make up of Australia. It is used to inform important decisions including transport, schools, healthcare, housing, infrastructure and business. It also helps plan support and services for individuals, families and communities.

Learn about how community organisations use Census data through our ‘Your Census Counts’ videos.

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