General News
18 May, 2023
Avoca resident shares survey story to inform community
A request to complete a Monthly Population Survey from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has prompted an Avoca resident to share the message that the survey, which can be given to any home at any time, is compulsory. Since 1960, the ABS has...
A request to complete a Monthly Population Survey from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has prompted an Avoca resident to share the message that the survey, which can be given to any home at any time, is compulsory.
Since 1960, the ABS has randomly selected around 26,000 households across the country every month to take part in the survey — and like the Australian Census, residents are legally required to participate.
The Avoca resident, who asked not to be named, said he tried to decline participating in the survey until he received a letter from the ABS notifying him it was compulsory.
“I got home from work on a Friday night, and there was a knock at the door. There was a woman who asked if I could complete the survey,” he said.
“I answered the questions and then she said ‘thanks, I’ll be in touch in a months’ time’.
“I asked what she meant and she explained the survey happens monthly over a period of time. I said no, I didn’t want to or have the time to do that.
“After that I got a letter from the ABS saying I was legally required to do the survey.”
The purpose of the monthly survey is to collect information about Australia’s workforce from a cross section of all communities, providing the official measures of employment and unemployment for the country.
Results from the surveys are used by government, local councils, industry, and community groups to make decisions and policies.
According to the ABS, once a household is selected for the survey, occupants are legally required to complete it once a month for a period of eight months so the household’s situation can be measured over time.
Failure to comply can result in legal prosecution and fines of up to $275 each day you do not complete the survey. It is also an offence to provide false or misleading information — the penality for this is a fine of up to $2750.
The Avoca resident said he had never heard of the survey and didn’t realise it was compulsory, and that he hopes to now share the message to other residents who may receive the call up.
“I’ve told other people about it and everyone has been completely surprised to hear it, they also didn’t know,” he said.
“Circumstances change — people’s lives change over that amount of time, I could be in hospital or go overseas — the requirements should be made clear at the start of the process before you get into it.”
Questions in the survey include If you are employed, what hours you work, your occupation and industry.
If you are looking for work, you will be asked questions on topics such as steps you have taken to look for work and the length of time you have been looking for work.
If you’re retired or you’re not working/not looking for work, you will be asked to clarify your current situation and future intentions.
Personal information of people in the survey is kept confidential.
With scams prevalent across the country, any residents who are you are concerned about the legitimacy of any contact by the ABS can call the Bureau on 1800 060 911 to confirm their selection in the survey, and the identity of the staff member who is contacting them.
The ABS will never ask you to provide or confirm your bank details or tax file number.