Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP, announced that the Administrator, on behalf of the Governor-General, has made the Proclamation that the 2016 Census of Population and Housing be held on Tuesday 9 August 2016.
The 2016 Census will be the first predominantly digital Census – a significant milestone for Australia and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). It fulfils the Government’s mission to conduct the most environmentally friendly Census to date.
This follows the Government’s major $250 million investment to modernise ABS infrastructure over five years, to retain confidence in ABS data and equip the ABS to drive innovation in the digital age.
“New delivery and collection procedures aimed at increasing online participation and making the Census more efficient will be used for the first time in 2016, with more than two-thirds of Australians expected to complete the Census online.” Ms O’Dwyer said.
“The move to a digital Census will reduce red tape for households and businesses and deliver savings compared with previous Censuses.”
The Census provides an important statistical snapshot of our nation, producing high quality small area and small population data.
Australia has a long and proud history of Census taking, and with the continued support of all Australians, the 2016 Census will build on this tradition and help us plan for our nation’s future.