The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is recruiting more than 30,000 temporary staff to help deliver the 2026 Census, including Field Officers and Community Field Officers. 

The Census provides vital data that informs decisions about housing, homelessness services, infrastructure and community needs. The 2026 Census will be particularly important for understanding housing and homelessness trends following the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected the 2021 Census results. While most people sleeping rough were virtually housed overnight during the pandemic, it also hid the true extent of rough sleeping across the country. Unfortunately, Shelter NSW and other housing and homelessness experts expect significant increases in primary homelessness in this edition of the Census.  

The ABS is also recruiting Community Field Officers to support participation by people experiencing homelessness and other groups that are often undercounted. 

If you’re interested in flexible, paid work that contributes to better evidence and better public policy, find out more on the ABS Census careers page.