Hold still while I count you lot… Image: AI Generated.
Census night is Tuesday, August 11, 2026, but people do not have to wait until then to complete their form.
More than one million completed Census forms have already been received across Australia, according to an official 2026 Census update.
People can complete the Census early once they receive their instructions, as long as they know where they will be staying on Census night. Their answers should be based on where they will be and their situation on August 11.
Residents who have not received a letter or paper form can still take part.
Anyone who has received nothing, cannot complete the Census online or needs help should call the Census Contact Centre on 1800 181 227.
The contact centre can give people a Census number, arrange a paper form and explain what help is available. It is open from 8am to 8pm every day, local time.
Need help? Start here
No letter or form has arrivedCall 1800 181 227.
You want a paper formCall 1800 130 250 if you have the 16-digit number from your Census letter or form. Otherwise, call 1800 181 227.
You need face-to-face helpVisit the Balo Square pop-up hub in Moree from August 10 to 12.
You need an interpreterCall the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.
You have a hearing or speech impairmentUse the National Relay Service and give the number 1800 181 227.
Essential details
Census nightTuesday, August 11, 2026
Main help number1800 181 227
Contact Centre hours8am to 8pm every day, local time
Automated paper-form number1800 130 250, available 24 hours
What the automated service requiresThe 16-digit number from a Census letter or form
Completing the Census onlineUse the Census number and temporary password supplied
Using a paper formAvailable to anyone who wants or needs one
Missed Census nightComplete it as soon as possible, using the household’s details from August 11
Follow-upCensus field officers follow up with homes that have not replied
Who must be includedEveryone in Australia on August 11
Everyone in Australia on Tuesday, August 11 must be included on a Census form.
Face-to-face help in Moree
The only Census help hub currently listed for Moree Plains is at Balo Square in Moree.
Balo Square
85 Balo Street, Moree
Monday, August 10 to Wednesday, August 12
10am to 4pm each day
Census staff will be available to answer questions and help people complete the Census.
People who cannot travel to Moree, or who need help outside those hours, can call the Census Contact Centre on 1800 181 227.
The ABS “Get help near you” page allows people to search for in-person help using their location. Hub listings may change, so residents should check again before travelling.
Nothing has arrived
Call 1800 181 227.
The Census Contact Centre can give people a Census number, arrange a paper form and explain what help is available.
Do not keep waiting or assume you cannot take part.
A letter arrived
The letter contains:
- a 16-digit Census number;
- a temporary password; and
- instructions for completing the Census online.
Anyone who receives a letter but wants a paper form can call the automated paper-form service on 1800 130 250.
The service is available 24 hours a day. The caller will need the 16-digit number from the Census letter or form.
A paper form arrived
Complete the form and return it in the supplied Reply Paid envelope.
The form also has details that allow the household to complete the Census online instead.
Submit either the online version or the paper form, not both.
No computer or internet access
The Census does not have to be completed online.
Call 1800 181 227 and ask for a paper form. Complete it and return it by mail.
Missed Census night
August 11 is the date the Census questions are based on. It is not the final day for sending in the answers.
Complete the Census as soon as possible and answer based on:
- where each person stayed on August 11;
- who stayed at the address that night; and
- the household’s situation on Census night.
The ABS first contacts households that have not replied and asks them to take part. Continued refusal can later lead to a formal notice and a fine.
Away from home
People must be counted where they stay on Census night.
This includes people staying:
- with friends or relatives;
- in hotels or motels;
- at caravan parks or campgrounds;
- in hospitals; or
- in temporary housing.
A person who is away overnight but returns home on August 12 should only be included at home if they were not counted somewhere else.
People can complete the Census before travelling if they know where they will be staying on August 11.
Rural property or small community
Rural residents must still take part.
The ABS uses field officers to deliver forms in some rural areas and follow up with households that have not replied.
Anyone worried about being missed should call 1800 181 227 rather than wait for a visit.
More than six people
A paper household form has room for up to six people.
Larger households can:
- complete the Census online;
- request another paper form through 1800 130 250 using their Census number; or
- call 1800 181 227 for help.
Separate private form
Anyone who does not want their answers included with the rest of the household can ask for a separate Census number or paper form by calling 1800 181 227.
Homeless or without a usual address
Everyone must be counted, including people:
- sleeping rough;
- staying with others for a short time;
- living in cars or tents; or
- staying in emergency or temporary housing.
Census staff will visit places where people are known to sleep rough. Face-to-face interviews are planned across Australia from August 10 to 16 and will usually use a shorter form.
Anyone worried about being missed can call 1800 181 227.
Language help
The Translating and Interpreting Service is available on 131 450.
The ABS also provides translated information and help for people who speak languages other than English.
Hearing or speech help
People can contact the ABS through their preferred National Relay Service.
Give the service the Census Contact Centre number, 1800 181 227.
Help for people with low vision or blindness
Large-print and braille Census information is available.
Call 1800 181 227 to ask for help.
Help answering questions
The Census Contact Centre can help people answer the questions.
A trusted family member, friend or support person may also help someone complete the form.
The answers must describe the people and situation at the address on Census night.
Why this matters in Moree Plains
The 2021 Census had high levels of missing answers in Moree Plains.
These figures do not prove that one in five residents was missed from the population count.
When no form is returned, the ABS may estimate that people lived at the address. It may also estimate a few basic details, such as age and sex.
Many other answers may be listed as “not stated”.
This means the population total may still be close to correct while important local information about health, culture, work, housing and living conditions is missing.
About one in five Moree Plains residents had important information missing from the 2021 Census. For several questions, this was about four times the NSW rate.
Residents who have not received Census material, need a paper form or are unsure what to do should call 1800 181 227.
