Your census information – retain or destroy?

Census collector in 1976
Census collector on her rounds, 1976 (NAA: A6180, 26/7/76/13)

A national Census of Population and Housing occurs every five years. Before 2001, census forms were destroyed after the statistics were extracted. To commemorate the Centenary of Federation, the 2001 census invited Australians to authorise preservation of their information in a time capsule.

Almost ten million people said 'yes'. Their census information will be preserved – safe and secure – in the National Archives for 99 years. Then it may be accessed by family historians and other researchers. The same question was asked in the 2006 census. Did you say 'yes'?

The next census

The next census will take place on Tuesday 9 August, 2011. Will you say 'yes' to having your information preserved?

Census returns

After the census, all returns are taken to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data processing centre. Here they are digitally scanned so that ABS can extract the statistical data it needs.

Then the returns are divided into those that accept the offer to have their information included in the time capsule, and those that don't.

A single return can record information for up to six people in one household, and some of those six people may not wish to be included in the time capsule. In that event, the return will be split – some information will be retained; some information will be destroyed.

If you tick 'no', leave the question unanswered, or fail to sign the form, all your identifying data (such as name and address) will be permanently erased.

If you tick 'yes', your census information will be kept, and your descendants will thank you!

Microfilm to last 500 years

Census returns from all who tick the 'yes' box are microfilmed. Using a digital archive writer, the returns are copied onto 16mm, archival quality, silver-halide polyester-based microfilm which has a life expectancy of 500 years. First the machine creates a positive microfilm copy of the images at 40x reduction. Then the films are processed to international archival microfilming standards.

Quality checks ensure that the images compiled for the filming are complete and correct. Any rejected images are re-processed from the digital images. Any films that do not satisfy quality requirements are replaced with completely new films. Splicing of partially rejected film rolls does not occur. The National Archives also maintains copies of the processing data for each batch of film, for the future management and care of the films.

Several additional quality tests are carried out, including the methylene blue test, which is performed at regular intervals to ensure no impurities or chemical residues are left on the films after processing.

After the filming has been completed, the original returns are destroyed.

How many rolls of microfilm are there?

In 2001, 9,998,428 people – over 52 per cent of those taking part in the census – chose to include their information in the time capsule. Their census returns resulted in 1422 rolls of microfilm. In 2006, 56 per cent of respondents chose to include their information in the time capsule.

Safe and secure

Films from the 2001 census were transferred to the Archives in September 2002. Their secure storage is our responsibility until 2100. Films from the 2006 census were transferred to the Archives in 2007. The films are held in high security vaults. As an added safeguard, each set of films is stored in a different facility.

The films are inspected from time to time by conservators to ensure there is no deterioration. No other access is permitted. The films cannot be accessed by any other government agency – including the police or taxation – so you can be assured that your information is totally secure. The Archives Act 1983 includes severe penalties for any unauthorised access to these census records.

The National Archives prides itself on its ability to provide safe and secure storage for national security material and we will do the same for all census data. Our role does not end when the films are first released to the public. We will go on storing them long after the 99-year closed period has expired.

The 22nd century

In 2100, the films of the 2001 census will be released to the public. In 2105, the films of the 2006 census will be released. And in 2110, the films of the 2011 census will be released. Along with the films, the Archives has created name and address indexes so the information will be easy to find.

As the only public record that comes close to recording the name, address and occupation of every Australian, census information is an invaluable record of Australian family history.

For researchers of the 22nd century, information in the time capsule will be invaluable. If you have ticked 'yes', you will be appreciated next century, by anyone who wants or needs the information – genealogists, historians, journalists, geographers, sociologists, epidemiologists and ... your descendants!

Further information

For more on the census, see the ABS Census of Population and Housing.

For more on family history and the value of historical information, see the Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations.

Archives' media releases

Back to top

Copyright National Archives of Australia 2012