Here is some useful information on key 2011 Census dates and an explanation of how to fill out the forms.

Census information is used for a range of planning purposes by all levels of government, private institutions and community organisations.

It’s used to determine such things as where infrastructure and community services are located, to help create an accurate profile of Australia. This gives us a snapshot of who we are as a nation and the services and infrastructure we need.

For example, health services, housing needs, educational requirements and sporting facilities are all planned using Census information, so make sure that everyone in YOUR household is counted on Census night.

The information you give about yourself and your family is kept completely private and protected by law.

No other government agency is allowed to see your answers. This includes Centrelink, the Department of Housing, the Department of Community Services and the Tax Office.

Health and welfare services, small businesses, religious organisations, charities and local councils all use Census data in their planning.

Head of the Population Census program, Paul Lowe, says all Australians benefit from an accurate Census count.

“The value to the community of Census information is many times greater than its cost. Population estimates based on Census data are used to determine the allocation of around $45 billion worth of funding to the states and territories,” Mr Lowe said.

Even if you are not at home or are working on Census night, you still must complete a Census form.

If you can’t fill out a Census form on the actual night of 9 August, fill it out as soon as possible and answer the questions as if it were Census night. The Census is a snapshot of the nation and counts people where they are on Census night.

If you’re staying with relatives or friends on Census night, make sure you’re included on their form.

If someone in your household is staying somewhere else on Census night, they should only be included in question 53 which asks about people who are absent.

For the household member away from home, they should complete a Census form wherever they are staying on Census night, to ensure they are counted.

If you are staying with friends or relatives temporarily, you should be included on their Census form. You can ask your Census collector or call the Census Inquiry Service (CIS) on 1300 338 776 if you need more forms.

If you’re travelling remotely on Census night and will be sleeping or camping ‘off the beaten track’ secure collection points for your Census information are available – find their locations by calling the CIS or visiting the Census Collection Points page at

www.abs.gov.au...

If you are overseas on Census night, you do not need to complete the Census.

If there is no-one staying at your house on Census night, you should call the CIS so they can let your Census collector know.

If you’re staying at a hotel, motel, hostel, nursing home, retirement village or with any other type of accommodation service provider, they will have either a paper copy of a Census form, or eCensus information which will allow you to complete the eCensus online (so long as you have access to a computer and an internet connection).

The eCensus form is a fast, easy and secure online option for completing your Census form. The questions are identical to the paper Census form and you can still include everyone in the household on the one form.

To answer the Census questions using eCensus you will need:

• A Census form number
• A unique eCensus number.

Your unique eCensus number comes in a sealed envelope and should be delivered by your Census collector when that person delivers your standard Census form. If you don’t have an eCensus form and would like one, call the CIS. They can provide your Census form number and unique eCensus number via SMS or mail.

eCensus data is protected by powerful encryption technology. This offers a very high level of security and is used to protect your details from unauthorised access. The security has been independently reviewed and thoroughly tested to ensure that people's private information is secure.

As well as contributing to a reduction in the use of paper forms, there are many other benefits associated with using eCensus. These include:

• It is available 24 hours a day.
• It saves you time.
• Built-in checks and online help ensure your form is completed correctly.
• It can be used by more than one member of a household while protecting the privacy of each user.

If you do not submit an eCensus form, your collector will return to pick up your completed form between 10 August and 28 August 2011.

If the collector calls when you are not at home, they will leave a card giving an estimate of when they will return. If your form has not been collected by 28 August 2011 please phone the CIS.

Don’t be concerned if the collector doesn’t return straight away after Census night, as your collector has many forms to collect, and may not get to your home until later in the collection period.

More information is available online at www.abs.gov.au/census or call the Census Inquiry Service on 1300 338 776.

Key Census dates

28 July 2011 – eCensus opens to the public.

29 July 2011 – Distribution of Census forms begins.

9 August 2011 – Census night.

From 10 August – Collection of Census forms.

June 2012 – The first results from the 2011 Census will be released.