Yahoo Finance 1.3 million Aussies to get ‘final reminder’ before $222 fines
The Census department has sent out nearly 1.3 million final reminder notices to households that haven’t filled in their Census, warning them that fines will soon follow.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has received more than 9 million completed Census forms, however there are still more than 1 million outstanding nearly a month after Census night on 10 August.
Under the Census and Statistics Act, people who fail to complete their Census can be prosecuted and fined up to $222 a day until the form is submitted.
“Every response matters, and yours does too. No community is too small to count. We want to make sure everyone is represented so we’re urging people to complete now,” Census Executive Director and national spokesperson Andrew Henderson said on Monday.
“If you don’t have your Census instruction letter or paper form, you can go online and complete today. Select the ‘Get a Census Number’ option.
“Call us on 1800 512 441 to request a paper form or visit the Census website. If you’ve already ordered a paper form, it’s on its way to you. For people who have completed the paper form but haven’t returned it, remember to post your form to the ABS today using the reply-paid envelope supplied”.
The final reminder notices have been sent to households and request they fill in their Census forms and return them as soon as possible. Census Field Officers are also visiting households that haven’t completed their Census, in line with COVID-19 restrictions.
Census Field Officers will always wear an official Census or ABS identification pass and will produce it if you request to view it. They will also carry a bright yellow satchel, unless they are part of a team working with rough sleepers and homeless Australians.
People who own a second property have also been reminded to report to the Census if the home was vacant on Census night.
All up, around 88 per cent of Australian households have filled in their census, with compliance highest in Tasmania (91 per cent).
Only 79 per cent of households in the Northern Territory have completed their forms.
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