'Straight up demanded access': Census rule you may not be aware of
News Source
β’Sun, 2 Aug 2026 19:33:27 +0000
π° What Happened
With the 2026 Australian Census scheduled for Tuesday 11 August, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has begun contacting strata and building managers to facilitate access to secure apartment buildings. Around 30,000 field officers have been hired to deliver Census materials and follow up with households that do not complete the survey. Joshua Baldwin, president of the Strata Community Association of Australasia, noted that coordinating access to secure buildings has become a logistical challenge, with field officers able to request access to properties after Census night to follow up with non-compliant households.
π The Backstory
The Australian Census is conducted every five years and is compulsory for all residents. The 2026 Census faces unique challenges with the growing number of apartment dwellers in secure buildings, which makes traditional door-knocking methods difficult. The ABS has legal authority to ensure every household is counted, which includes following up with non-respondents in person.
π― Why It Matters
The census data collected is critical for government planning, funding allocations, and policy decisions across areas like health, education, and infrastructure. Ensuring complete coverage of apartment residents β a growing demographic in Australian cities β is essential for accurate population data, and the logistical challenges highlighted may inform how future censuses approach high-density housing.
With the 2026 Australian Census scheduled for Tuesday 11 August, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has begun contacting strata and building managers to facilitate access to secure apartment buildings. Around 30,000 field officers have been hired to deliver Census materials and follow up with households that do not complete the survey. Joshua Baldwin, president of the Strata Community Association of Australasia, noted that coordinating access to secure buildings has become a logistical challenge, with field officers able to request access to properties after Census night to follow up with non-compliant households.
The Australian Census is conducted every five years and is compulsory for all residents. The 2026 Census faces unique challenges with the growing number of apartment dwellers in secure buildings, which makes traditional door-knocking methods difficult. The ABS has legal authority to ensure every household is counted, which includes following up with non-respondents in person.
The census data collected is critical for government planning, funding allocations, and policy decisions across areas like health, education, and infrastructure. Ensuring complete coverage of apartment residents β a growing demographic in Australian cities β is essential for accurate population data, and the logistical challenges highlighted may inform how future censuses approach high-density housing.