Last night was the night of the Australian Census. Apart from only having received our papers on Monday and then working until 9pm, it was a good night. I got home by 9.3pm, settled in and then at 10pm sat down to take care of our census papers.

This year however, the Australian Bureau of Statistics offered the option of completing the census online. Unlike CW at Ruminations, who delights in the experience of quality pen and paper, and being a lover of many things online and because it was the first year we could do so, I decided to complete our household census online. I did so, logging in using the unique number on my paper census questionnaire and using the password which came in a sealed envelope with the questionnaire. So far, so good. All logged in and off we went.

Fortunately, there is only 4 people in our household and we were all here, so there was nothing complicated in it. However, the online version made things even quicker and easier. Instead of having to look at all questions, regardless of whether they applied or not (ie. income levels from the jobs of my 4 and 7 year olds!), on the online census, the answers were removed and a note put in to say that as a result of a previous answer, I didn’t have to answer that question. The sections requiring answers relating to my two children were a lot shorter as a result and I didn’t have to wade through unnecessary sections.

Considering that it was census night and there would presumably be thousands of people filling in their questionnaires online, the speed was remarkable. Broadband access helps of course, but I couldn’t discern any delay in response times or change overs of pages etc.

According to Snail at “Snails Trail” around 1/2 a million Australians did their census online - not bad for a population of just over 20 million. For those who did theirs online, they will not have to wait for the census collector to return for their papers. The Australian Bureau of Statistics will notify the collectors that they have the census online from these people and the collectors will just pass us by. Not a bad system at all.

Of course, I was amused by the one question that did sneak through in relation to my children - that was on their marital status - I’m not ready to have a son or daughte r in law when my children are only 4 and 7! The feedback option at the end of the census, gave me the option of answering some questions about my online census experience and then providing any free text feedback I wanted. That’s where I mentioned the marital status of my children. (I know in some countries they marry young, but not as young as 4!)

Working in a public library, I see the benefits of the census in the statistics the ABS produces and people request on a regular basis. Only 12 months until the first lot from this census become available!