The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has started sending instructions on how to complete the Census to more than 10 million Australian households ahead of the Census on Tuesday August 10.
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Around 85 per cent of all households in Australia will receive a letter that explains how to complete online or how to order a paper form.
Some households will receive a paper form and a reply-paid envelope for its return. There are instructions on the paper form if they prefer to complete it online.
Census executive director and national spokesperson Andrew Henderson said residents should check their letterbox.
"We're encouraging people to complete their Census, as soon as they receive their instructions, if they know where they will be on Tuesday August 10," he said.
"This means you don't have to wait and complete on a single night. We know this flexibility will make it more convenient for people to complete.
"People will be able to complete the Census online, on their mobile device or on paper. We're also making it as easy as possible for everyone to participate in the Census with a range of support and assistance available."
Mr Henderson said information about the Census would be provided in different ways, including in Braille, large print formats, audio, Auslan videos with closed captions and easy-to-read guides.
There are 66 Australian Sign Language (Auslan) video guides, including an introduction to the Census and assistance for each question on the paper form. All video content includes closed captioning and transcripts. The website also includes a link to the National Relay Service (NRS) to receive assistance.
Expression Australia president Gavin Balharrie said Expression Australia had welcomed the changes by the ABS to ensure the Census was accessible for all.
"Auslan is the first and sometimes the only language used and understood by members of the Deaf and hard of hearing community," he said.
"To have this recognised and included in the Census is a seismic shift towards greater inclusion and is invaluable for future planning of services and support."
The Census form is also available in Braille. People may request a Braille or large print form online, or by calling a 24-hour automated paper form request service or our Census Contact Centre.
Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton said Vision Australia was proud to have worked closely with the ABS to ensure the blind and low vision community could have access to Census materials in their format of choice.
Both the website and online forms have been designed to allow for the use of a host of assistive technologies. Audio assistance of both the form and the guide is available online.
ABS expects around 75 per cent of forms to be completed online this year, compared to 63 per cent in 2016. It will take the average household 30 minutes to complete the Census.
The 2021 Census campaign message is that 'Every stat tells a story' highlighting how Census data is used to guide services for individuals, families and communities.
For more information, visit www.census.abs.gov.au.
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