Exactly what happens if you lie on the Census
Tonight is Census night and every Australian needs to fill in the forms. And while mistakes can and do happen, deliberate lies are met with stern consequences.
Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) asks every household to fill in a Census form on the same night to get a snapshot of Australia as a whole.
We use this information when formulating future policies for the country’s health, education, transport and infrastructure needs.
This year, it’s expected 75 per cent of households will complete their forms online, to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines, because a high percentage of the country is currently in lockdown.
Our last Census in 2016 was the first time we’ve attempted to submit our census forms online and this year is the second time.
Officials from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) are bracing themselves for online cyber attacks because in our last Census in 2016, we experienced major problems with online hackers. So much so, this time the government has hired ‘friendly hackers’ to test if the site is vulnerable.
Can I choose not to fill in the census form?
Filling in the census form is mandatory and if you don’t take part, you will be fined $222. If you go to the ABS website it says: “The Census is compulsory. Everyone who is staying in your household on Census night must be included. This includes visitors and babies.
The website continues stating: “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.
Can I be fined if I make a mistake on the Census?
The Census form asks a lot of specific questions about yourself including how much money you make and how much your rent or mortgage costs.
Because these questions as so specific, it’s possible you could make a mistake and the ABS has assured people they won’t be punished if they make a mistake.
However, if the ABS feels you’ve lied on purpose, this will be treated in a far different manner.
What happens if I lie on the Census form?
The ABS makes it clear that it’s an offence to: “…provide false or misleading statements or information.”
The penalty for lying on the Census form is a fine of up to $2220.
Will the information I enter be safe?
Even though online hackers attacked the ABS website in 2016, they didn’t get hold of any of the 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.
The ABS is legally bound to protect the privacy of everyone and will not release information in a way which will identify any individual or household.
If Census staff were to break these laws they 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 destroys all the names and after 36 months they destroy all the addresses.
However, they won’t do this if you tick the option for your information to be stored in the National Archives of Australia. If you do this, your information will be held for 99 years and then released publicly in a kind of time capsule.
What if I can’t submit my form online?
Some people may find it difficult to submit their census form online if they don’t have a computer or an Internet account. The ABS will check which households haven’t completed the form after Census night and those households who haven’t responded will receive reminder letters and visits from Census staff
In cities, this type of follow up will mostly be through the mail, so if you can’t submit the form online, you will have received a letter from the ABS which has some instructions on it for submitting your form.
This letter also supplies the ABS 24-hour automated hotline on 18000 130 250 and you can call this number and request a paper Census form is sent out to you.
Once this form arrives in the mail, fill it in and post it back to the address supplied.
Call the ABS 24-hour automated hotline on 1800 130 250 if you need help to submit your Census form tonight.
Image: Getty Images