Statement by the Australian Statistician confirming the confidentiality of the Census

There have been suggestions of a possible link between the Census and the forthcoming Access Card, otherwise known as the 'Smartcard'.

I can give an iron clad guarantee that absolutely no individual Census information will be provided for inclusion on the Access Card. Besides, it would be illegal to do so. There are very strong secrecy provisions in the statistics legislation that prevent release of identifiable information to anyone, including Government agencies. Breaches are subject to heavy fines and/or imprisonment.

Your Census information will be absolutely confidential. The ABS has an outstanding track record in protecting the confidentiality of Census information and that will continue.



Dennis Trewin
Australian Statistician

Privacy and confidentiality issues