The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) maintains a specific operational rule regarding the census: census workers are permitted to enter secure apartment buildings to reach residents. While many residents may be unaware of this policy, the ABS emphasizes that this access is a necessary component of their mandate to achieve a comprehensive count of the population.

Census collectors are tasked with reaching every household, regardless of whether they are located behind locked gates or secure lobby doors. The policy is intended to prevent undercounting in high-density urban areas where physical security measures often impede field staff. The ABS notes that while they prioritize the safety and privacy of residents, the legal framework governing the census overrides standard building access restrictions for the purpose of data collection.

There is no public disagreement regarding the legality of this rule, but the reporting highlights a tension between the administrative need for accurate census data and the expectations of privacy held by residents in secure buildings. The SBS report frames this as a 'straight up demand' for access, suggesting that the agency is prepared to assert its authority to ensure compliance. While the ABS maintains that this is a routine operational procedure, the framing underscores the potential for friction between census staff and building management or residents who may be surprised by the arrival of government officials in restricted areas.