Census on the high seas

For most people, this year’s census was filled out at home, on the couch or in the study – but, Australians on board HMAS Perth completed their census while deployed on a regional presence deployment in the Indo-Pacific region.

CAPTION: A Royal Australian Navy officer completes the 2026 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census in HMAS Perth during her Indo-Pacific Regional Presence Deployment. Photo by Leading Seaman Connor Morrison.

Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) requires all residents in Australia to participate in the questionnaire.

In the last census, one in 20 Australian households had at least one person who had served or is currently serving in the ADF.

As Navy ships are counted as Australian territory, the 191 people on board Perth, including one member from the Royal New Zealand Navy on exchange, were required to participate.

To combat the distance, XO Lieutenant Commander Daniel James and CWO Warrant Officer Shane O’Gradey worked with ABS staff to ensure the forms were available for Perth on census night.

After completing their ‘Census Person in Charge’ training before the ship sailed, they were responsible for the execution and integrity of the census forms.

“Historically, ships have been at sea during census night and it’s important our feedback is also counted,” Warrant Officer O’Gradey said.

“Once the census papers are completed, they go into envelopes in a special bag, which we keep secure until they can be returned to the ABS.”

Despite the challenges at sea, all of the crew filled out the 57 questions in the census on time.

To round off a day of civil liberties, a barbecue was put on for dinner, so everyone could enjoy a ‘democracy sausage’. 

With the census filled out, Perth continued on her regional presence deployment.

After leaving her namesake in Western Australia in July, the Anzac-class frigate is conducting operations, exercises and other engagements with Australia’s regional partners.

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