<P> From 2015 an investment of $250 million over five years by the Australian Government is being used to modernise ABS systems and processes, with the aim of delivering the best possible statistical program in more efficient and innovative ways . </P> <P> The ABS undertakes the Australian census of population and housing (census). The census is conducted every five years under the authority of the federal Census and Statistics Act 1905 . </P> <P> The last Australian census was held on 9 August 2016 . This was Australia's 17th national census . </P> <P> The census of population and housing is the largest statistical collection undertaken by the ABS and one of the most important . The census aims to accurately measure the number of people and dwellings in Australia on census night, and a range of their key characteristics . This information is used to inform public policy as well as electoral boundaries, infrastructure planning and the provision of community services . Users of census data include government, the media, not for profit organisations, researchers and academics, among others . </P>

The australian bureau of statistics (abs)