An apparent breakdown in Census operations across the New England North West combined with insufficient advertising and general confusion is leading to concerns of a widespread failure to accurately count the region.
Multiple mayors have reportedly been contacted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) seeking help lifting a high non-completion rate, amid reports of households and motels missing the letters and paper forms they should have received, and little to no local advertising of the count in local media.
Uralla Shire Councillor David Mailler was in Moree on Census night, Tuesday, 11 August, and described the rollout as a “monumental stuff up”.
“I understand the ABS has struggled to service regional communities with letters and forms. I was in Moree and did not receive a form from the motel,” Cr Mailler said.
His family was in Newcastle and did receive a paper form when they checked in, as they should have.
Cr Mailler said they also had not received a letter at home.
“Not unexpected as sometimes our mail takes a month or more to arrive.”
“I think the ABS has underestimated the engagement. I understand that advertising was limited to free to air and limited to no advertising on streamed services.”
Narrabri Mayor Darrell Tiemens had campaigned hard for participation ahead of Census night, as reported by New England Times on Friday, 7 August. He said the local management of the count had fallen well short of expectations.
“Absolutely woeful. Lots of gaps. I’m nervous about the quality of the outputs if the inputs are so patchy,” Mayor Tiemens said.
He said he was particularly disappointed given how much effort he and other mayors had put in to encouraging people to complete the census.
“It’s been worth it but I’m still worried that the numbers will be undercounted,” he said.
Neighbouring Moree Plains Shire Mayor Susannah Pearse said the count “has just been a disaster”, and was especially concerned for older residents, having seen Census advertising only on Facebook.
“We’re certainly very concerned about it. It’s just so important that we get good numbers,” she said.
New England Times understands from sources close to the situation that an area manager covering Moree, Tamworth, Inverell, Gwydir, Tamworth, Gunnedah, Narrabri & Liverpool Plains was apparently “moved on” close to census night, and a slow and complicated recruitment process also contributed to the an insufficient number of field staff being recruited for the major logistical event.
Locals have stepped up to help neighbours who missed out on forms or didn’t get letters, but refugees, migrants, FIFO workers and older residents were most at risk of being missed, as they were less likely to hear about the Census by word of mouth, and may have the most trouble navigating the online system.
An ABS spokesperson did not directly address the staffing claims, instead pointing to the agency’s broader commitment to the region.
“The ABS is committed to counting every person and household in Australia on Census night, including in New England. Most households in New England have already completed their Census,” the spokesperson said.
“We have staff on the ground in the region delivering forms to households and supporting local communities to ensure everyone can participate.”
On advertising, the ABS said the 2026 campaign was planned and placed centrally through the government’s master media agency, using television, radio, print, digital and outdoor channels “to reach the maximum number of people in Australia across metropolitan, regional and remote areas.”
The agency refused to provide a list of local media outlets where the Census was advertised on three separate occasions.
The ABS said pop-up help hubs had also run throughout August in Inverell, Armidale, Moree, Tamworth, Glen Innes, Narrabri, Walgett, Lightning Ridge, Tenterfield, Guyra and Walcha.
Nationally, more than 10 million household forms had been received by Monday, 24 August, the ABS said, with field staff now following up households that have not completed the count. Anyone visited by someone claiming to be a Census Field Officer should ask to see their identification.
“Anyone who has not yet completed their Census can do so at census.abs.gov.au or by calling the Census Contact Centre on 1800 181 227,” the ABS spokesperson said.
For local leaders, the bigger question is whether the count can be trusted.
“It might be that ABS has spent millions on a dud,” Cr Mailler said.
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