Can You Get Fined for Not Filling Out the Census

What happens if you didn't complete the census

Last night was census night, with all Australians required to take part. But what happens if you forgot to do it.

Census night was last night, but what if you forgot to do it?

Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has every household fill out a census form on the same night to get a picture of the nation as a whole.

The information is used to shape the country's health, education, transport and infrastructure needs.

This time around, it's expected that 75 per cent of households completed their forms online, to adhere to coronavirus guidelines, with half the country in lockdown during census night.

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Is my data safe?

Hackers may have attacked the website in the previous census, but they didn't get hold of any data.

The ABS says the information you give is not shared with any other government departments or agencies such as the police, Australian Taxation Office or Centrelink.

It is legally bound to protect the privacy of everyone and will not release information in a way that will identify any individual or household.

Information is usually released by area.

Census staff can face penalties of up to $26,400 or imprisonment for up to two years, or both, if confidentiality is broken.

After 18 months the ABS will destroy names and after 36 months they destroy addresses.

However, they won't do this if you opt in for your information to be stored in the National Archives of Australia, where it will be held for 99 years and then released publicly in a kind of time capsule.

What happens if I don't complete the census?

The census is mandatory and if you don't take part it can lead to a fine.

The ABS website says: "The Census is compulsory. Everyone who is staying in your household on Census night must be included. This includes visitors and babies.

"You can be fined if you refuse to complete the Census or submit an incomplete form."

Under the Census and Statistics Act 1905, you can be issued a Notice of Direction, which directs you in writing to complete the census.

If that doesn't make you do it, you can be prosecuted and fined up to $222 a day.

These are the key dates to watch out for.

• Late July 2021 – paper forms will be delivered to households in some rural and regional areas
• By early August 2021 – Households receive instructions on how to take part
  
• August 10, 2021 – census night
  
• After census night – Households who have not responded will receive reminder letters and visits from census staff
  
• Late August 2021 – census officers follow up those that have not responded (mostly through the mail – door knocks may happen in regional areas).
  
• June 2022 onwards – Release of 2021 census data starts

Can I be fined if I make a mistake on the census?

The census form asks a lot of specific questions about yourself – such as how much money you make and how much your rent or mortgage costs.

With such specific questions, it's possible you might make a mistake and get a number wrong in your response.

On their website, the ABS has assured census respondents that you won't be punished if you make a mistake.

However, that's a different story if you lie or make up an answer.

What happens if I lie on the census form?

"It's important to know that it's an offence to provide false or misleading statements or information," the ABS warns.

The penalty is a fine of up to $2220.

In 2001, there were some pretty wild lies people tried to get away with on their census forms.

Can You Get Fined for Not Filling Out the Census

Source: https://www.news.com.au/finance/what-happens-if-you-dont-complete-the-census/news-story/c5db2f05f20795f7c2f2f1766b2f1d26

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