Census Engagement Manager, Generalist

·      Several casual positions available 

·      $61.50 per hour (inclusive of 25% casual loading), plus superannuation

Looking for a flexible role that makes a real impact?

Join us as a Census Engagement Manager, and help ensure every voice is heard, respected, and counted.

We are seeking people with experience engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities to support the accurate representation of First Nations peoples in the Census. This is your opportunity to be part of something meaningful, contribute to positive change, and help shape the future.

About the Census

The Census of Population and Housing (the Census) is the most comprehensive snapshot of Australia and tells the story of how we are changing. It helps us understand what we need now, and into the future.

The Census is run every five years. It’s one of the largest and most important collections to count the number of people and houses in Australia. The Census asks questions about your age, country of birth, cultural background, living situation, work and education. It’s used to estimate Australia’s population, distribute government funds, and plan services for individuals, families and communities.

The next Census will be held in early August 2026.

About the role

The Census Engagement Manager role is critical in ensuring the ABS delivers on its commitment to improve the quality and relevance of Census data for all Australians. 

Census Engagement Managers are responsible for the management of engagement activities across Australia that contribute to high quality and relevant Census data.  

Census Engagement Managers will engage with a range of community organisations and groups to share Census messaging, assist with recruitment, raise awareness and maximise participation in the Census.

Generalist Census Engagement Managers will also be responsible for engaging with communities and groups who face barriers to participating in the Census, including: 

·      People from culturally and linguistically diverse communities  

·      Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across urban, regional and remote Australia  

·      People experiencing homelessness, including people sleeping rough  

·      Other population groups who face barriers to taking part in the Census.  

Fostering of positive relationships with key representatives within community groups and organisations is paramount. You will meet with a variety of community stakeholders, building understanding and attending to key events and cultural considerations.  

It is expected that Census Engagement Managers will assist in the implementation of Census activities designed to support participation in the Census, including for population groups who face barriers to participation in a specific region. This may include promoting Census job opportunities and sourcing staff, coordinating Pop-up Hubs, coordinating Fill-in-Form sessions in-language and planning the count of people sleeping rough. 

As a Census Engagement Manager, you will

·      Plan, manage and undertake engagement activities for some harder to reach population groups in your area.  

·      Provide assistance in gathering support for the Census from community organisations and service providers. 

·      Provide in-field assistance when required for Census assisted completion activities. 

·      In some cases, supervise and provide assistance to field and engagement staff for procedural queries. 

·      Be responsible for the storage of materials relating to Census promotion and where required, store materials for the field staff working in their area. 

·      Conduct any required field work with safety and care and ensure the safety and wellbeing of any staff you may be required to supervise.  

·      Assist in recruiting and training field and engagement staff for multiple engagement streams. 

·      Perform other duties as requested to support Census participation. 

Key qualities and experience

·      Ability to connect and engage with a range of service providers and community groups through effective communication and development of strong working relationships. 

·      Ability to present information to audiences of various sizes through public speaking. 

·      Ability to work independently and make decisions with limited guidance. 

·      Sound knowledge of the local area. 

·      Ability to competently use information technology such as mobile devices and web applications. 

·      Ability to acquire an understanding of the Census and its processes, including work health and safety and handling personal information. 

·      Demonstrated experience in community engagement with strong connections within community and the ability to leverage those relationships to assist in the promotion of the Census. 

·      Demonstrated experience and strong connections working with the homelessness sector or culturally and linguistically diverse communities or people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent or other community or population groups such as people living with disability or the elderly.   

·      Cultural capability and inclusive practices and engagement are desirable for this role. 

·      Ability to speak another language is desirable but not required.

Other Information

Applications close on 17 August 2025.

In the application form, you will be asked to nominate your first and second preference for the region where you would like to apply.

You only need to submit one application for this position. Read more about this role in the attached Application Information Kit

Read more about this role in the attached Application Kit.

Have more questions? Call our Recruitment Support Line on 1300 100 557.

Other opportunities

We will be recruiting Remote Census Engagement Managers in September.

These roles will be based in remote areas across Australia and are ideal for individuals with strong connections to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and experience working in remote towns and communities.

Join our Talent Community to stay informed about upcoming opportunities near you.