To measure the number and key characteristics of persons and dwellings in Australia on census night. Among other things, the information is used for forward planning by government, industry and community groups. The Census is conducted every five years and is an enumeration of the entire population.
Information is collected from all Australian households by self-completion questionnaires.
Geographic Coverage Australia, States and Territories. Data are classified according to the ASGC and are available for small areas down to Collection District. Frequency of Data Availability Data are available every five years. The first census conducted by the Commonwealth of Australia was held in 1911 and censuses have been held at irregular intervals to 1961. Since 1961, a census has been conducted every five years, with the latest being 1996.