The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has announced it is ready to deliver the 2021 Census in a “COVID-safe and responsive” way.
Executive Director of the Census and National Spokesperson for the ABS, Andrew Henderson said most people would complete the Census online with no contact from the Bureau and all Census staff would operate under a COVID-safe plan.
“The plan follows guidelines from Federal, State and Territory Governments to keep the community safe,” Mr Henderson said.
“In the lead up to Census, we’ve undertaken extensive planning about how we engage with the community and ensure the safety of our staff during the pandemic,” he said
“We were able to successfully test these plans in our major test of 100,000 dwellings across Australia in October 2020.”
Mr Henderson said for the vast majority of people the Census would be contact free, with most people set to receive instructions by mail in early August and the ABS anticipating 75 per cent online completion.
“Field activity by Census staff is more common in areas where internet access or postal services are less reliable, or where communities need extra help to complete the Census,” he said.
“Where we do need to work in the community, we will do so safely and in accordance with all public health orders.”
Mr Henderson said ABS Field Officers played a vital role in delivering the Census and could be identified by their official identification passes; bright yellow satchels; and official ABS documentation which detailed the work they were doing.
More information on the 2021 Census can be accessed at this PS News link.
