Census 2016: Everything You Need To Know

There’s a lot to talk about with this years’ Australian Census. For the first time, names and addresses will be recorded and kept, and this move alone has promoted widespread questions regarding security, privacy and the risks of non-compliance. We’ve collected together all the stories you need to read from Lifehacker and our sister site Gizmodo — from what happens if you don’t put your real name down to why you probably shouldn’t say you’re a Jedi.

From Lifehacker:

Ten Things To Remember When Completing The 2016 Online Census

The 2016 Census is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, August 9. For the first time, the online version — or “eCensus” — is the default method for filling in the national survey. As with the 2011 version, most of the online process is fairly self-explanatory, but here are ten issues to bear in mind.

Census 2016: Should We Be Concerned About Our Privacy?

As you’ve probably heard, names and addresses collected as part of the 2016 Census will be retained to enable the census to be linked to other national data. (Names and addresses had previously been retained for 18 months, but the information is now planned to be kept for up to four years.) So should you be worried?

How To Dodge Census 2016 To Protect Your Privacy

This year’s Census conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) will not be anonymous. Your name and address information will be retained for up to four years. This new Census arrangement has privacy pundits up in arms. Yet, it’s compulsory for all Australian households to submit their information. So what should you do if you value your privacy and don’t want to fill out the Census form? Here are some suggestions on how to avoid it.

Ask LH: Will I Really Be Fined For Not Completing The Australian Census?

Dear Lifehacker, I was scrolling through my Facebook feed and had a recommended page which was by Census Australia. I started going through the comments to see what people were saying and was astonished to see multiple responses by the ABS talking about a $180 fine if we don’t complete the Census. Is this true? Can they really fine us for refusing to divulge every bit of information we have about ourselves? What are my legal rights here? Thanks, Mighty Pissed Off

Not Home On Census Night? The ABS Will Still Find You

The Australian Bureau of Statistics is expecting to hear from you on Census night — whether you’re home or not. The organisation has devised a comprehensive network of delivery options to ensure everybody does their bit for democracy, not matter where they are. Whether you’re lost on a lonely rural highway or shacked up in an internet-free hotel, the ABS still have ways of making you talk. Here’s what you need to know if you plan to be away on August 9.

What To Do If You Lose Your Census Login Code

This year’s Australian Census is being conducted primarily online. By now you should have received your 12-digit Census Login number which you need to log into the online survey. But what happens if you accidentally misplaced it? Here’s what you need to know.

The Australian Census ‘Deadline’ Is Actually Over A Month Away

As you surely know by now, August 9 is Census night in Australia. If you’re going to be away tomorrow, have an unexpected internet outage or simply don’t have time to fill out the form, DON’t PANIC: the ABS is giving all Australians an unofficial deadline of September 23 to complete the survey.

How To Keep Your Name Off The Census Without Getting Fined

Census night is tomorrow. This year’s Census will be the first one to retain name and address information from respondents. If you’re still against filling out the lengthy and probing survey due to privacy concerns, you may be able to get away with leaving key information out without being slapped a hefty fine. Here’s how.

Why You Shouldn’t Put ‘Jedi’ As Your Religion On The Census [Infographic]

In the 2006 Australian Census, 58,053 people put “Jedi” down as their religion. In 2011, this number had jumped to 64,390. With Star Wars now more popular than ever thanks to the new movies, it is expected that the number of “practicing Jedis” will explode in this year’s Census. It’s a testament to Australia’s larrikin sense of humour (not to mention our slavish devotion to US pop culture) — but not everybody is amused. This infographic explains why you might want to reconsider the joke.

From Gizmodo:

This Year’s Australian Census Won’t Be Anonymous

For the first time since its inception in 1911, the Australian Census in August this year will be forgoing the usual practise of destroying any identifying information of respondents. Since 2001 we have had the option of deciding if our identifying information can be retained. This year, we won’t get a choice.

The 2016 Census Will Keep Your Name And Address

Opinion: In case you haven’t heard, this year’s Census will not be anonymous. When you fill out the 2016 Australian Census questionnaire — if you don’t somehow avoid it or refuse to take part — your name and address will be linked for the first time to other, previously anonymised data like your status of employment, education and personal health. The Census on the night of August 9th will be conducted almost entirely online, too — so get used to your personal data being transferred around the ‘net.

Australian Lawyers And Scholars Encourage Civil Disobedience In This Year’s Census

The 2016 Australian Census will not be anonymous, and a lot of people aren’t happy about that. A group of Australian privacy advocates, including a professor of computer science and a former NSW deputy privacy commissioner, are raising concerns, and some are encouraging Australians to avoid the Census, refuse to fill it out, or to use civil disobedience — like listing their religion as “Jedi Knight” — to skew the accuracy of results.

The Greens And Nick Xenophon Speak Out Against the Census

As you may be aware, the Australian Bureau of Statistics has changed the policy for this year’s Census. No longer anonymous, names and addresses will now be stored. This move not only puts people’s privacy at risk, experts say, but attempts to thwart the system in protest will make the Census itself inaccurate. Without accurate data, essential government services could be misdirected, under-resourced or wiped out, The Greens say, and Nick Xenophon is calling for the whole thing to be postponed as community concerns arise.

The Greens Say Fines For Not Providing Your Name In The Census Must Be Scrapped

The Greens have put a call out for Minister Michael McCormack to direct the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to rule out fines for people that don’t want to include their name and address details when completing their census forms, stating the ABS’ response to privacy concerns has been “wholly inadequate”.

What You Need To Know If You Are Planning To Avoid The Census

Former statistician Bill McLennan has said that the 2016 Census is, “without doubt […] the most significant invasion of privacy ever perpetrated on Australians by the ABS”. There are number of concerning changes to the 2016 Census which have lead to talks of boycotts, lobby group Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA) says. Here is a rundown of what the EFA has flagged as a potential problem, what your rights and obligations are, and what can happen if you make up answers or avoid the collector.


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