Garigarra Riley-Mundine calls for Indigenous Census participation

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics lack of participation has meant the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in Australia has historically been undercounted.

Information from the Census helps organisations like local health and education providers to plan the right services in each area.

Garigarra Riley-Mundine, a proud Wiradjuri woman from Dubbo who completed the Census for the first time by herself in 2016 and now works in the Australian Public Service says she has seen first-hand how Census data has made a difference in her community.

"Primary schools and universities in regional NSW, where I grew up, use the data to help understand where they needed to provide support for Aboriginal students, whether that's with after-school care tutoring or providing specific programs in the local TAFE and university," Miss Riley-Mundine said.

"It's important for our mob to complete the Census because our information feeds into policy which really helps us in the long-term."

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Census Community Engagement Officer and proud Wurundjeri woman Chenille Chandler said there is plenty of help out there for her mob to be able to complete the census.

"We're here to help make sure the whole community understands the importance of being counted in the Census," Miss Chandler said.

"It's an opportunity for everyone to play a part in helping to plan for the future of their families and communities."

Kamilaroi and Kunja man, Braedyn Edwards, helped support and educate his local community about the Census by applying to join the Census field staff team in 2016.

Mr Edwards was in his first year of university and wanted to earn some extra money for a few weeks while supporting his community to understand why the Census was important.

Mr Edwards role with Census was to visit households in his local community to answer questions and help people complete their Census.

A common question he encountered was if everyone in the house needed to be included in the Census form.

"Even if it was a house of 12 people, you have to include every single person on the Census including visitors and babies," he said.

"For some this might need two or three paper forms to complete it, although everyone can be included in the one form if they complete online.

"The Census can show communities where services are needed, from housing and employment services through to transport and community infrastructure."

Miss Chandler has a simple message for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

"Your participation in the Census means having the right services for our mob," she said.

"Make sure you and your family are counted."

The 2021 Census will be held on Tuesday, August 10.

You can start your Census as soon as you receive your instructions if you know who is going to be home on Census night.

There will be Census pop up hubs in shopping malls and other high-traffic areas where anyone can have a chat with Census staff.

Information and resources are available at census.abs.gov.au/indigenous.

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