Enhancing the ABS Census with Geoscape Addresses

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) conducts the Census every five years, capturing vital data on the nation’s socio-economic composition.

The 2021 Census aimed to enhance user experience with a reliable online platform, emphasising the need for accurate address data to boost online form submissions and minimise incomplete entries.

Geoscape Addresses

To achieve this, Geoscape provided a secure, single-tenancy Address Auto-suggest API service within a sovereign AWS environment, tailored to integrate with ABS’s stringent data, security, and scalability requirements.

Challenge

The ABS faced the challenge of meeting public expectations for accessible online services, prompting the introduction of an online form in 2016. The 2021 objectives were to:

• Enhance the online submission process.
• Lessen the burden on the call center.
• Increase address data precision at the point of entry

Solution

Geoscape’s Address Autosuggest API service ensured structured and verified address data, aligning with ABS’s goal for accuracy and improving user experience by streamlining form completion.

In collaboration with the ABS’s other contractors, a scalable and secure service was established, with dedicated 24/7 support during Census week, ensuring uninterrupted service during peak times.

Benefits

The online submission process proved crucial during the Covid-19 pandemic, reducing call center dependency and wait times. It facilitated approximately 700,000 online completions, decreasing the need for call center assistance and significantly cutting down on paper-form distribution, leading to substantial cost savings.

The strategic support and implementation of the Auto-suggest feature received positive feedback for enhancing the user experience.