Census 2011 – coming soon to you

The Australian Census happens only once every five years but it’s happening very soon. Census staff will be out in the field delivering census forms to households from 29 July and on Tuesday 9 August, every household in Australia will have to fill in the form.

A Census phone inquiry line will open for calls on Monday 18 July. This line 1300 338 776 is for any questions about filling in the census form or any other part of the census process.

National Relay Service (NRS) callers will receive priority and will be directed to a specially trained group of inquiry line staff. The NRS has developed resources for these staff to help make sure they are Relay Service friendly – that they understand what relay calls are and can handle them professionally, efficiently and in a welcoming manner.

The inquiry line will also answer emails about the Census and will stay open for another almost a month after Census night.

The inquiry line will not have a separate direct TTY line. All calls to the inquiry line by people who are Deaf, hearing impaired or speech impaired will need to be made through the NRS.

You can find out more about the Census on its website www.abs.gov.au/census. An information video in Auslan will be on the website from 18 July.

For the first time ever, the Census form will include a note on the front page about how to contact the inquiry line through the NRS.

You can also do the Census online if you prefer. This option is fast and secure, can be done at any time of day and includes online help. The Census collector will give you all the information you need when they first visit. If you decide to do the form online, the collector won’t need to return to your house to collect the form.

The NRS would be interested to hear about your experience as a deaf person filling in the Census this year. Let us know – whether good, bad or indifferent – after 9 August at www.relayservice.com.au/contact/feedback