‘Everyone will get through’: Census officials confident ahead of nationwide survey

Census officials are confident computer systems won’t crash ahead of the compulsory nationwide online survey.

More than 16 million Australians are expected to go online for tonight’s Census survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

It is the first time Australians have the option of completing the survey online instead of by paper, sparking fears the system will crash.

Victorian Census Director Annette Kelly told 3AW she was “confident” the system would hold up.

“We’ve built capacity for twice what we expect,” Ms Kelly said.

“Everyone can be reassured they’ll get through.”  

Survey data will be held by the ABS for four years, instead of the regular 18 months.

Many have expressed security concerns over the extension of data being held for a longer period of time.

South Australian Greens Senator, Sarah Hanson-Young, tweeted her disapproval.

“Little by little, they strip our privacy away,” media commentator Mike Carlton posted.