The Census at Mt Buller

Even blizzards won’t stop holiday makers from having their chance to participate in Tuesday’s
Census – expected to be Australia’s largest ever online event.

On Tuesday the Census will aim to count every dwelling and person in Australia. Locals and international tourists are all included in the count, wherever they are staying on August 9.

Those at Mt Buller will be able to participate in the Census. Victoria Census Director, Annette Kelly, said “It’s important that we get the full picture of Australia on Census night, and that means getting out to every part of Victoria.”

“Census data is critical to all kinds of planning decisions around the country, for everything from
healthcare and education to the roads that Australians drive on when they’re going to work or on holiday.

We don’t want communities to miss out just because parts of their population are away from home.”
Richard Smith, a Census Area Supervisor, is already working with hotels on Mt Buller and delivering
Census materials in preparation for the big night.

Gillian Dobson, Group Manager – Marketing, Sales and Events at Mt Buller Resort, said that there may be around 2,000 people staying on the mountain on Census night.

She said the Census is important because “it gives us a great snapshot of general tourism trends and also what we need to give [tourists] here at Mt Buller.”

“We’re really interested to see what this year’s Census brings. Mt Buller has certainly seen a lot of
change in the last 5 years.”

On Census night, people staying away from home will receive their Census information, either from Census field staff or from their accommodation provider, enabling them to complete the form online or on paper.

Australia’s digital first Census will be faster and easier to complete than ever, which means more time on the slopes for holidaymakers. Ms Dobson said, “We’re pretty lucky up here on Mt Buller. We’ve got great internet access, which means that people will be able to access the Census online really easily. The other great thing is that we’ve got staff here locally that have been working really closely with the ABS to ensure that everybody’s got the opportunity to complete the Census on the night.”

Get online on August 9. For more information, go to census.abs.gov.au

Victorians who would like to request a paper form can follow the instructions on their Census Instruction Letter to call the automated Census Paper Form Request Line on 1300 820 275. A paper form will be mailed via priority mail.

ENDS

Media Enquiries 

State Media Office, 1300 997 005 | censusmedia@fenton.com.au 

National Media Manager, 02 6252 6617 | 0429 955 731 | census.media@abs.gov.au