Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey
Arrangements for Eligible Australians Overseas
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has advised paper forms will not be mailed overseas for this survey. Arrangements for Australians who will be overseas during the entire survey period of 12 September to 7 November include:
- asking a trusted person in Australia to receive their form on their behalf, open it, complete it based on their instruction and return it to the ABS; and
- request a Secure Access Code from the ABS through the Information Line or the ABS website from 25 September to 20 October 2017 and complete the survey online, via an automated telephony service or via a call centre.
If you wish to participate in the Marriage Law Postal Survey and would like to arrange for survey material to be sent to a trusted person in Australia to respond on your behalf, or request a Secure Access Code to complete the survey online, via the automated telephony service or via a call centre, you should contact the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey Information Line on +61 2 6252 5262. The information Line is open 8:00 am to 8:00 pm AEST seven days a week. For more information on arrangements to support participation by overseas Australians please refer to the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey website.
The survey collection period is 12 September to 7 November 2017.
16 October 2017 - Act now to have your say in the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is urging eligible Australians who haven't yet done so to complete and return their Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey by 27 October if they wish to have their view counted.
ABS Deputy Australian Statistician and Taskforce Lead, Jonathan Palmer, said people should not delay and send back their completed survey form in the Reply Paid envelope right away.
"We'd like to ensure we have the highest participation rate possible for this voluntary survey.
“If you've filled out your form but it's still in your car, handbag or on your kitchen bench, time is running out, so post it back today," Mr Palmer said.
The ABS has already sent more than 16 million forms to eligible Australians and as of 6 October has received back more than 10 million completed surveys,” Mr Palmer said.
“We strongly recommend that you post back your completed forms straight away and certainly no later than 27 October to make sure you have your say.
“If you haven’t received your form, or it has been lost or damaged, only days remain for you to request a replacement form and have any previous form invalidated.
“Get a new form via the ABS website, visit a capital city or regional pick-up location or call the Information Line on 1800 572 113 open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week,” he said.
“There’s also a paperless option available for people travelling or living overseas or those who might find it difficult to participate because of an illness, injury or disability.
“If you’re in this group, you can request a Secure Access Code to complete an online request form on our website or call the Information Line.
“A unique 16-digit Secure Access Code will be sent to you via email or SMS. You can submit your response online or using an automated telephone service,” Mr Palmer said.
Requests for new survey forms and Secure Access Codes close on 20 October 2017.
While survey forms must be received by 6pm (local time) on 7 November 2017 to be included in the count, the more received before this date ensures they get through the postal system and arrive in time for processing. The results will be published on 15 November 2017.
More information on the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey is available at www.marriagesurvey.abs.gov.au