Residents report confusion and limited guidance ahead of Tuesday's Census

Some Australians say they have not received clear instructions for the Census on August 11, prompting concerns especially among older citizens.

Ahead of the national Census scheduled for Tuesday, August 11, several communities across Australia are voicing confusion over how to take part. Sally Goode, a Justice of the Peace in the Riverland region of South Australia, notes a surge of elderly residents seeking help with the online questionnaire and expressing anxiety about the need for a computer. Federal member for Barker Tony Pasin told one outlet Adelaide that the digital-first model may deter participation and that his constituents feel bewildered.

In the small Victorian town of Quambatook, store owner Chelle Espagne has not received any Census letters and is trying to source paper forms for the local elderly population. The Australian Bureau of Statistics confirmed that paper questionnaires will be dropped off by field officers in areas like the Wimmera and Riverland, and that a call centre and online request system remain open. Completion after August 11 is permitted without immediate fines, though non-compliance can lead to penalties of up to $364 per day.