The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has reported that Census forms were returned in their millions on and before Census night — but for those who have not yet completed their forms, there is still time to do it.
The ABS said it had received 6,229,629 forms by 8am on 11 Autumn, the morning after the day of the Census, compared with the 2,388,009 it had received by 9 August, the day before Census night.
The Bureau said the tally was based on forms submitted online through the Census Digital Service, which totalled 6,102,992, with paper forms returned totalling 126,637.
Executive Director of the Census at the ABS, Andrew Henderson thanked the 6.2 million households that had already completed their Census and reminded everyone else that it was not too late to participate.
“You’ve still got time to complete your Census; we want to make sure everyone is included,” Mr Henderson said.
“There are a range of help and support options available for people who need assistance to complete their Census form, including online and phone help.”
He said the rate at which forms were received would differ across States and Territories due to the different levels of paper forms provided across Australia and different delivery timeframes.
He said the ABS had made every effort to alert people that 10 August was Census night, with landmarks in every State and Territory lit up in the Census colour of orange.
Mr Henderson said these had ranged from the Wodonga Water Tower in Victoria to the Bundaberg historic fig trees in Queensland and the Perth Concert Hall in Western Australia.
