Australians Confused and Concerned Ahead of Upcoming Census

As Australia gears up for the Census next week, some residents across the country are saying they are confused about how to take part in the nationwide population count.

Sally Goode, a Justice of the Peace in South Australia's Riverland, said she and other JPs have been flooded with community members asking for help.

They are seeking instructions on how to fill out the online form or request a paper questionnaire for the Census, which will take place on August 11.

"People are concerned that they have not received a letter and just presume that one will hopefully come along," Ms Goode said.

"The thing I have found to be the most worrying for people is the fact they need a computer in order to do this.

Ms Goode said the majority of community members seeking help are older in age.

"[There has been] a rush of elderly who have come into the library where our signing room is and are completely bamboozled by the information they have received," she said.

She said physical Census forms should have been made available at local facilities including libraries, particularly in regional areas.

"I think it's very short-sighted to have not made printed forms readily available," she said.

Digital vs paper

While some households will be sent a paper form, most will have to request one if they do not want to fill it out online, which is the default.

Federal member for Barker Tony Pasin told 891 ABC Adelaide he believed digital forms would mean participation would be lower, and his constituents were feeling confused and frustrated.

"I just think there's a tendency in government for everyone to think digital is best, but I'm not sure in this case," he said.

"If you've got this slip, you have to use your digital prowess to convert it into an online document that you fill out."

Similar stories across the border

The story is similar in the 230-person Victorian town of Quambatook.

Quambatook General Store owner Chelle Espagne has been collecting mail from Kerang two or three times a week for the community after the local post office closed in May this year.

"No-one's got any of the forms yet," she said.

"When we rang them they couldn't tell us anything, so we'd thought we'd be proactive and get some paper forms in because we're an elderly community and they gave me two, because there's two people that live in my household.

"If you get your letter today with the [telephone] number on it that lets you ring them and get a paper form … to get that paper form sent to you by Tuesday, good luck with that."

Ms Espagne had hoped to help confused community members who come into the shop.

"If we had the forms we could help the elderly who could come into the stores, or our neighbourhood house, and we would help them fill out the form or get online," she said.

Will not be fined straight away

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said it will be dropping off paper forms via field staff in areas including the Wimmera and Riverland region, with mailed forms still being delivered.

People can complete the Census after August 11 and will not be fined if they have not received their forms by this time.

If a person refuses to complete it when directed they can be prosecuted and fined up to $364 a day.

Census national spokesperson Emily Walter said there is support for people who feel confused.

"If people haven't received a letter in the mail or are still waiting to hear, there is a call centre.

"They can request a paper form there, or there is a very easy method through our Census website to request a paper form.

"They might also see field officers who will be carrying a bright yellow satchel and wearing an ABS identification tag, so they can request a paper form from them."

Ms Walter said if the Census is completed after August 11 it just needs to reflect the same date.

"We ask everyone to complete their Census form as soon as they can, based on who spends the night at their house on Census night, Tuesday 11 August," she said.