All of that data's also used in important studies which can help us understand where we're headed in the future. For example, new playgrounds could be built in suburbs where there are shown to be more kids around. It shows how Australia's changed and grown over time and it gives governments a good idea of where funds are most needed, like schools, hospitals, aged care homes, roads and other infrastructure. Well, knowing about Australia's population can be really helpful. It's a form that can be done online, or on paper.ĪMELIA, REPORTER: The idea is to count everyone in the house on one night, but you do have to answer a whole bunch of questions like your age, gender, family size, education, religious beliefs, where you were born and the languages you speak. In Australia it happens every five years. It's a compulsory survey and counting of the population and while the ancient Romans used it to keep track of taxpayers and fit adult men who could go to war, these days it's all a bit different, thankfully. Yeah, that's basically how the Census began. Good luck.ĪMELIA: Oh, also you owe us 10 aureus in taxes.
And are you a Roman man aged between 14 and 40 in good health?ĪMELIA: No cholera? Dysentery? Plague? Anything like that?ĪMELIA: Good, alright. Are you the only one in the house?ĪMELIA: Good, good alright. Since the days of ancient Rome government workers have been knocking on doors and asking questions to find out more about the people inside.ĪMELIA: Hello there.