Example for eCensus: Australian Bureau of Statistics Web Based Population Census Form

Australian Bureau of Statistics and eCensus

Technical Help


How do I enable JavaScript in my browser?

To enable JavaScript in Internet Explorer 5 and Internet Explorer 6

  1. Select 'Tools' then 'Internet Options' from the top of your browser window
  2. Select the 'Security' tab
  3. Select the 'Internet' icon and click the 'Custom Level' button
  4. Select 'Medium' security from the 'Reset button settings' box
  5. Click OK

Or, if you have customised your settings:

  1. Select 'Tools' then 'Internet Options' from the top of your browser window
  2. Select the 'Security' tab
  3. Select the 'Internet' icon and click the 'Custom Level' button
  4. Scroll to 'Java' and set 'Java Permissions' to MEDIUM SAFETY
  5. Scroll to 'Scripting' and set:
    • 'Active Scripting' to ENABLE
    • 'Allow paste operations via script' to ENABLE
    • 'Scripting of Java applets' to ENABLE

To enable JavaScript in Netscape:

  1. Select 'Edit' then 'Preferences' from the top of your browser window
  2. Select 'Advanced' from the left of the preferences window
  3. Tick the box to enable Java
  4. Tick the box to enable JavaScript
  5. Close the preferences window

To enable JavaScript in Firefox:

  1. Select 'Tools' then 'Options' from the top of your browser window
  2. Select 'Web Features' from the side of the options window
  3. Tick the box to enable Java
  4. Tick the box to enable JavaScript
  5. Click the Advanced button to set JavaScript options
If you require further information please consult the 'Help' function in your browser.

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How do I enable 128-bit encryption in my browser?

To enable 128-bit encryption in Internet Explorer 5:

  1. Select 'Tools' then 'Internet Options' from the top of your browser window
  2. Select the 'Advanced' tab
  3. Scroll to HTTP 1.1 settings and set 'Use HTTP 1.1' to Enabled (ticked)
  4. Scroll to 'Security' and set;
    • SSL 3.0 Enabled (ticked)
    • SSL 2.0 Enabled (ticked)
    • PCT 1.0 Enabled (ticked)
  5. Click OK

To enable 128-bit encryption in Internet Explorer 6:

  1. Select 'Tools' then 'Internet Options' from the top of your browser window
  2. Select the 'Advanced' tab
  3. Scroll to HTTP 1.1 settings and set 'Use HTTP 1.1' to Enabled (ticked)
  4. Scroll to 'Security' and set;
    • SSL 3.0 Enabled (ticked)
    • SSL 2.0 Enabled (ticked)
  5. Click OK

To enable 128-bit encryption in Netscape:

  1. Select 'Edit' then 'Preferences' from the top of your browser window
  2. Select 'Privacy & Security' then 'SSL' from the left menu
  3. Select the SSL Version 2 and Version 3 check box
  4. In the left menu scroll down to 'Advanced' then 'Cache'
  5. Select the 'Clear Cache' button
  6. Select the 'OK' button to exit the Preference window

To enable 128-bit encryption in Firefox:

  1. Select 'Tools' then 'Options' from the top of your browser window
  2. Select 'Advanced' from the left menu
  3. Under Security select the Use SSL 2.0 and the Use SSL 3.0 check boxes
If you require further information please consult the 'Help' function in your browser.

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Can I make accessing the eCensus form faster?

The speed of your access to eCensus depends on many variables, many of which are outside the control of both the ABS and yourself.

These variables may include: For further information, please consult the 'Help' function in your browser or click on the link to: Back to Top

Having trouble accessing the eCensus

Please remember that general Internet traffic can reach peak levels at certain times of the day. The ABS has endeavoured to design a system capable of handling heavy Internet traffic however there are elements that are beyond the control of the ABS. The capacity of your ISP, as well as that of your local telephone interchange could have a significant impact on your access to eCensus.

The Census asks all respondents to answer questions based on one particular night, so we are expecting that many people will complete their Census form on Census night and that Internet traffic will be high. Should you find that you are having difficulty using eCensus on Census night, please be patient and try again.

Should you find that you are still having difficulties accessing eCensus, please complete your paper Census form, which will be collected by a Census Collector. If you do not have a paper Census form, please call the Census Inquiry Service on 1300 651 181.

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How secure is the eCensus form?

The ABS is bound by the Census and Statistics Act 1905 to protect the confidentiality of the information you provide to the ABS. To ensure that your Census information is delivered to the ABS securely, we have used the strongest encryption technology that your browser will support. This means that the information you send is not able to be read by anyone but the ABS. All possible measures to protect the integrity of your eCensus form have been taken.

The security of your Census information also relies upon the confidentiality of your eCensus Number. You must ensure that your eCensus Number is stored in a secure manner to prevent others from using the number to access your information. Once your eCensus form has been submitted, it cannot be retrieved from the system.

For further information, please click on the 'Privacy and Security ' link.

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How does encryption work?

Encryption uses two keys, a public key to encode the data and a private key to decode the data. Without the key to decode the data, it is unreadable.

New encryption keys, known as asymmetric encryption systems, come in pairs. One is used to encode a message and one is used to decode a message.

The decoding key, private key, remains confidential to the ABS. Information sent over the Internet is encoded using the public key but can only be decoded by the private key. This means that the information that you send to the ABS via the Internet is not able to be read by anyone other than the ABS.

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