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Surveys
Frequently Asked Questions about government surveys.
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Key issues
- Are you calling about a personal survey or a business survey?
- Are you calling about the Census?
Do I have to participate in an Australian Bureau of Statistics survey?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) regularly undertakes surveys to get statistical information. If you are contacted by the ABS to participate in a survey (and you are not a business) you do not have to participate, unless you are directed to do so in writing.
If you are served with a written Notice of Direction you must comply with the notice within the timeframe given to you, unless you believe that you should not have to do the survey because of your religious beliefs.
If you don't comply with a Notice of Direction you can be fined and the amount of the fine can increase each day (after the due date) until you complete the survey.
It is also an offence to give false or misleading information.
Any information you provide to the ABS is confidential.
If you don't want to complete the survey, you should get legal advice.
For more information about surveys, see Participating in a survey on the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.
What is a referendum?
In Australia, a referendum is a vote used to approve a change to the Australian Constitution. Section 128 of the Constitution sets out certain rules that must be followed for a change to be approved.
In Australia, if the government wants to change the Constitution, they must arrange a referendum and all citizens must vote on the change.
What was the voice referendum?
Australians were asked to write “yes” or “no” to this question:
“A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this change?”
What was the outcome of the voice referendum?
The voice referendum was held on 14 October 2023.
More than 60 per cent of Australians voted no to altering the constitution to create a Voice to Parliament. Accordingly, no change was made to the Australian constitution.
When is the next Census?
The next Census will be in 2026. For more information, see 2026 Census topic review on the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.
Do I have to complete the Census on Census night?
No, you can complete your Census before Census night if you know who will be home on this night.
What options are available for completing the Census form?
You can fill in the form online or complete a paper Census form and submit it by post. Paper Census forms will only be delivered to selected areas where people are more likely to respond using the paper form. If you don't receive a paper form, you can request one online or over the phone.
Do I have to participate in the Census?
The Census is compulsory and every household and person in the country is required to answer specific questions.
If you don’t complete the Census, the Australian Statistician can serve you with a Notice of Direction requesting you to complete the Census. If you don’t comply with the notice, you may be committing an offence and receive a fine, unless you believe that you should not have to do it because of your religious beliefs.
The amount of the fine can increase each day (after the due date) until you complete the Census.
It is also an offence to give false or misleading information.
Any information you provide as part of the Census is confidential.
If you don’t want to do the Census, you should get legal advice.
For more information, see Census on the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.
Will I get fined if I do not participate in the Census?
It is an offence not to participate in the Census.
If you don't complete the Census, the Australian Statistician may serve you with a Notice of Direction requesting that you complete the Census.
If you don't comply with the notice, you may be committing an offence and receive a fine, unless you believe that you should not have to do it because of your religious beliefs. The amount of the fine can increase each day (after the due date) until you complete the Census.
If you have not completed the Census and you have received a letter or direction from the Australian Statistician, you should get legal advice.
Last updated: December 2024