General News
5 August, 2025
Gilgandra to participate in ABS census test tonight
Gilgandra has been selected as one of the locations to participate in a large-scale census test to be carried out by the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) as it prepares to conduct the 2026 Census.
Gilgandra and Coonamble are the only NSW communities chosen for this year’s census test, and will join Melbourne, the Queensland cities of Gladstone and Yeppoon, and in Western Australia, the communities of Perth, Albany and the Wheatbelt region. All up, the census test will involve an estimated 60,000 households.
The ABS has already conducted census tests in Katherine and surrounds, Northern Territory, in June and July.
Census general manager Jenny Telford said the test is an essential part of preparations to ensure the 2026 Census runs smoothly and delivers a positive, safe and secure experience. “We are testing our collection processes and IT systems to ensure our processes work well and that the form captures the right information in the right way,” Ms Telford said.
The Gilgandra Weekly understands the ABS is also partnering with Services Australia to test a new option to access the census through myGov.
“You can complete your form as soon as you receive your instructions if you know who will be home on census test night,” Ms Telford explained. Census test night will take place next Tuesday, August 5. Residents in Gilgandra township have already received their instructions via the post and field officers have been deployed to the area to conduct rural mail drop offs.
“Your participation matters. By taking part, you’re helping us improve the next census for everyone and ensure it produces high quality statistics,” Ms Telford explained.
Although Gilgandra has been chosen as a test location for this activity, not every household will be asked to participate in the census test.
“If you don’t receive instructions in the mail, there’s nothing you need to do; myGov users who subscribe to census test updates will receive a link in their myGov Inbox when it is time to complete the census test,” the ABS said in an associated statement.
While participation in the census test is voluntary, the ABS hopes those nominated will participate to ensure the test reflects a broad cross-section of people and communities.
The locations for the census test were chosen using 2021 census data.
The Gilgandra Weekly understands questions may be refined after next month’s widespread census test, with final questions for the 2026 Census to be published on the ABS website later this year.
