The Australian Census, conducted every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), is a crucial survey that provides a detailed and accurate view of the population and its characteristics. The information collected in the Census is used by governments, businesses, and community organizations to make informed decisions and plan for the future.

But what exactly are these “direct” and “indirect” uses of the Census data? And why is the Census so important for our economy and democracy? Here’s a breakdown of the key ways the Census is used and why it matters.

1. Direct uses of economic value

• Rebasing: This refers to the process of updating the population and inflation estimates using the data collected in the Census. These estimates are essential for the calculation of many key economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The Census provides the most reliable and comprehensive source of data for these estimates, and is therefore essential for understanding the state of the economy.

2. Indirect uses of economic value (the long tail)

• The long tail refers to a wide range of applications of Census data that are not immediately used by the government, such as:
• Research and analysis by academics: Census data is often used by researchers to study a wide range of topics, such as population demographics, economic trends, and social issues. This information is valuable for academic research and helps to improve our understanding of the population and its needs.
• Use of Census data by community organizations and NGOs: Many community organizations and NGOs use Census data to plan their programs and services. For example, a community organization may use Census data to identify areas with a high concentration of seniors, and use this information to plan services and activities for this demographic.

3. Predominantly non-economic uses

• The Census provides politically independent informational infrastructure that helps safeguard the integrity of our federal system of government and democracy. This is of major significance and helps to ensure that the Census remains an essential tool for understanding the population and its needs.

But why is the Census so important for our democracy? The Census provides detailed information about the population, which is used to determine electoral boundaries and ensure that each vote carries equal weight. This helps to ensure that every person’s vote counts and that our representatives accurately reflect the makeup of the population.

Overall, the Australian Census is an essential tool for understanding the population and its needs, and for making informed decisions. The high-quality data collected in the Census is invaluable for governments, businesses, and community organizations, and will continue to be an important resource for years to come.

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