Australians who fail to complete the compulsory census could face daily fines of up to $364, according to recent warnings from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This penalty can accumulate, potentially reaching $2,548 in a single week for continued non-compliance.
Deliberately providing false information on the census form carries a separate potential fine of up to $3,640. The ABS anticipates that over 85 percent of households will submit their census information online. However, officials will actively follow up with individuals and households that do not lodge their forms.
Census spokeswoman Emily Walter stated that the ABS will initially contact non-responders via letter or through a field officer. A formal legal notice will be issued to those who persist in their refusal, ordering them to complete the census. Fines are only considered after this formal directive.
Participation in the census is mandatory for all households, irrespective of the occupants' residency status, including citizens, permanent residents, international visitors, students, or individuals on temporary visas. The census, conducted every five years, provides the ABS with crucial data on Australia's population, including housing, growth, and demographics.
Despite the potential for significant fines, the ABS emphasizes that issuing penalties is a last resort. No fines were issued during the collection period for the 2021 census.
This year's census includes new questions regarding sex, gender, and sexual orientation. The question about religion remains voluntary.