Central Queensland residents will take part in a Census dry run next month, as the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) prepares for the 2026 whole-of-nation count.
Census General Manager Jenny Telford said the test was an essential part of the ABS’ preparations to ensure the 2026 Census ran smoothly.
Ms Telford said around 60,000 households had been selected to take part across Rockhampton, Gladstone and Yeppoon, as well Melbourne, Perth, Albany and the Wheatbelt region in Western Australia, and the New South Wales towns of Coonamble and Gilgandra.
“We are testing our collection processes and IT systems to ensure our processes work well and that the form captures the right information, in the right way.”
She said the ABS was also partnering with Services Australia to test a new option to access the Census through myGov.
Ms Telford said not everyone in test locations would be asked to participate in the Census Test, which will be held on August 5.
“If you don’t receive instructions in the mail, there’s nothing you need to do.”
She said myGov users who subscribed to Census Test updates would receive a link in their myGov Inbox when it was time to complete the Census Test.
Ms Telford said participation in the Census Test was voluntary, however, the ABS was asking everyone selected to participate to ensure the test reflected a broad cross-section of people and communities.
“We’ve recently tested our approach in remote communities as part of this Test.
“Selected households in Katherine surrounds, NT participated in our Test in June and early July.”
She said information provided in the Census Test was confidential.
“The ABS is legally required to keep data secure and not release information in a way that will identify any individual, household or business.
“The data collected in the Census Test is for testing purposes and will not be released.”
