About the Census
Since the first national Census in 1911, Census data has played an important role in charting Australia’s history and shaping its future.
As Australia’s largest statistical collection, the information you provide in the Census helps estimate Australia’s population, which is used to set electoral boundaries for all levels of government, underpins the distribution of billions of dollars in public funding and informs planning for services and infrastructure for every community in Australia.
While some of this information is available from other sources, only a Census can provide the information for the entire country, including small geographic areas and small population groups.
Census Independent Assurance Panel
An independent panel of eminent Australian and international statisticians, academics, and state government representatives was established to independently review and assure the quality of statistical outputs from the 2016 Census.
Overall, the panel found 2016 Census data to be fit for rebasing the Estimated Resident Population and having comparable quality to previous Australian Censuses and International Censuses. The panel concluded that 2016 Census data can be used with confidence.
Independent Assurance Panel: Report on the quality of 2016 Census data.