The Australian Statistician has urged households that have not completed the Census to action their reminder letters.
The Statistician, David Gruen said people who did not complete the Census could be prosecuted and fined up to $222 a day “because ultimately the Census is compulsory”.
Dr Gruen said the amount of Census responses received by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) was a good result so far, however, there were still some households that had not responded and it was critical that everyone was counted.
“The Census is the only data insight that provides a picture of the social and cultural make up of every community in Australia, so every response matters,” Dr Gruen said.
“If you haven’t been able to complete, for whatever reason, please complete your Census now as it’s overdue,” he said.
“If you don’t have your Census letter, you can go online and complete today.”
Dr Gruen reminded people who were yet to return their paper Census form to post it to the ABS using the reply-paid envelope supplied.
The Australian Statistician said the Census website, including the online form and customer service channels, would close in late September.
“Until then, Census Field Officers will continue to visit households that haven’t completed during this period,” he said.
“The reminder visits are being carried out in line with local COVID-19 restrictions.”
Dr Gruen said the ABS was also requesting that people with a second property such as a holiday home or investment property go online and report if the property was vacant or unoccupied on Census night (10 August).
