Value of the Census
The Census is a snapshot of Australia and tells the story of how we are changing. The Census helps us understand what we need now, and into the future.
Community groups, not-for-profit organisations, businesses and governments use Census data to make important decisions. Census data informs planning for schools, health care, transport and infrastructure. It is also used to help plan local services for individuals, families and communities.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service uses Census data to understand the number of people living in remote areas. This tells them where doctors are needed most.
So in this 93rd year of the Flying Doctors Service, we'll provide care to some 350,000 Australians that live in country and rural Australia. Our 1,900 staff will work from 23 airbases right around the country utilising a air fleet of 79 aircraft. Making the Royal Flying Doctors, Australia's third largest airline. To determine health provision in rural and remote areas we use ABS population data. We really did need to know where people are living, so we can predict into the future what services we should send to those areas. Today and on any given day we'll fly to some 50 different locations around the country to provide primary health care clinics. Where people can visit doctors, nurses, dentists and mental health professionals. By using the Census data we can have confidence about who we're seeing, the types of communities that we're visiting and the needs that exist within those communities. So the Royal Flying Doctor Service encourage people that live in rural and remote Australia, particularly our Indigenous brothers and sisters to respond to the Census when you get your opportunity. Because it's with the information that the Census provides that the Royal Flying Doctors can ensure people in country Australia get access to the health care that they really need. Every stat tells a story.
You can read more stories about how Census data is used.
An independent report by Lateral Economics found benefits of Census substantially outweigh its cost
Lateral Economics has released an independent valuation of the Australian Census, which found that for every $1 invested in the Census, $6 of value was generated to the Australian economy.
The report, Valuing the Australian Census, concludes that Census data plays a critical role in improving Australia’s economic and social infrastructure.
The summary report contains an overview and the full report contains comprehensive information about the economic model and approach used to determine the value of the Australian Census.