The Census is coming in August. Your participation helps plan services for individuals, families and communities.

Knowing Census information about where different groups of people live and work helps the Australian Migrant Resource Centre in South Australia support new arrivals.

We use the information and data from the Census to build and support local communities.

Mirsia Bunjaku South Australia’s Australian Migrant Resource Centre Senior Manager for People, Programs and Operations

It may seem for some like a quaint throwback to a simpler society, like the Yellow Pages or cheque books, but the Australian Census is just as relevant today as the first one collected way back in 1911.

Particularly, just as it was back then, when it comes to new arrivals. The Australian Migrant Resource Centre in Naracoorte South Australia uses the data to support refugees and new arrivals to Australia, looking into things like location, ancestry, religion, languages spoken at home, education and employment data to design supports for the local community.

Or when there could be an opportunity to benefit aged migrant communities or those with disabilities with more effective, targeted services in a specific regional area.

South Australia’s Australian Migrant Resource Centre Senior Manager for People, Programs and Operations, Mirsia Bunjaku, says the five-yearly national count helps their organisation uncover and confirm where their services are most needed.

“We use the information and data from the Census to build and support local communities,” she says.

“We help by having a better understanding of the diversity in a local area, and creating services that support access, equity and social cohesion as a result of increased participation and contribution in the community.”

It has real, practical outcomes.

In the South Australian regional town of Naracoorte, the Australian Migrant Resource Centre used 2016 Census data to confirm a population of recent migrants more than three times higher than other parts of regional Australia.

Most common countries of birth for recent migrants to Naracoorte, SA

Naracoorte, SA

Population 5,960 in 2016

Country of birth for people (other than Australia)

England

0

Philippines

0

Source:
https://quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/
getproduct/census/2016/quickstat/SSC41002#cultural

Bringing together local services and diverse communities, we assist to improve accessibility and effectiveness of the services.

Mirsia Bunjaku South Australia’s Australian Migrant Resource Centre Senior Manager for People, Programs and Operations

This included 190 people from Afghanistan and 118 from the Philippines, as well as an extra 52 from New Zealand, 41 from Pakistan and 22 from China, into the population of about 5000.

Many worked in seasonal jobs on vegetable farms or vineyards, as well as some in the Teys Australia meat works, filling crucial roles in agriculture.

Because these populations were known, the Australian Migrant Resource Centre was able to establish resources in the community such as conversational English classes, assistance to achieve drivers licences and job-preparation and training.

When we find there are specific groups in an area with specific needs, we will look for possibilities and resources to support them to make sure the local workforce is sustainable.

Mirsia Bunjaku South Australia’s Australian Migrant Resource Centre Senior Manager for People, Programs and Operations

Ms Bunjaku says their role is to assist people to build and support local communities.

“We empower them through training, employment and other support services,” she says.

“When we find there are specific groups in an area with specific needs, we will look for possibilities and resources to support them to make sure the local workforce is sustainable.

“Bringing together local services and diverse communities, we assist to improve accessibility and effectiveness of the services. That will help them in the long term in terms of their wellbeing and their resilience.”

She says the Centre also works with councils, service providers and other community groups to link up services, such as providing communication materials or books in appropriate different languages.

"So it's important for everyone in Australia, regardless of where they're staying or living, to fill in the Census accurately and in a timely way," she says.

“It is critical for people to fill out the Census,” she says. “What this will support is relevant resource allocation. By having that data it assists in relevant services for a local community.

“It’s important to have that accurate data to make sure that the resources are where they are needed.”

The Census is a long-running part of Australia’s history and informs planning and services. Local councils, businesses and community groups all rely on the information for their work. It is the biggest logistical exercise in the country, involving a count of all 25 million people living in Australia across more than 10 million households.

Australian Migrants

Arrivals since 2007

Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing

The data collected by the Census helps community groups, businesses and governments make important decisions and to plan for the future.

Andrew Henderson Census Executive Director and National Spokesperson

Around 38,000 people will be employed on a temporary basis to help conduct the Census, including more than 2000 Community Field Officers to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities and people experiencing homelessness.

Country areas, inner city zones and people sleeping rough are all part of the Census count. This Census, people have a period of time to complete. Information will be delivered to households in early August. People can complete once they get their letter, if they know who’ll be home on Census night Tuesday 10 August.

It will ask the usual demographic questions and also include new details on long term health conditions and Australian Defence Force participation.

Census Executive Director and National Spokesperson Andrew Henderson says the data helps us understand what we need now and into the future.

“The data collected by the Census helps community groups, businesses and governments make important decisions and to plan for the future,” he says.

“For countries like Australia, which is incredibly diverse and multicultural, it can sometimes be difficult for some members of communities to understand the importance and the process to participate in the Census.

“There can be a variety of reasons like language barriers or the Census being a new concept for some of our new migrants and refugees.

“It’s important that everyone participates in the Census.”

Look out for instructions in early August on how to complete your Census.

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Helping refugees and new arrivals to Australia: Census planning counts