National Community Attitudes Survey

The results of the study will help to inform policy on violence and related issues in the Australian community in order to improve public health and safety.

This survey will be conducted nationwide from June until October 2017.

The survey is being conducted for the Department of Social Services (the Department) by a team of sub‑contractors from the University of Melbourne, the University of New South Wales, RMIT University and the Social Research Centre.

What information will be collected?

The survey is focused on community attitudes to violence.

People participating in the survey will also be asked about their personal beliefs on violence and related issues. They will be asked for information about themselves, such as their age and their place of birth.

How will the information be used?

The information collected in this study will be used by the Department and other government agencies to help improve the safety of all Australians.

Who is conducting the survey?

The Social Research Centre will conduct the telephone interviews required for this survey. Households have been selected on a random basis to take part.

Any information provided will be managed and stored in accordance with the Australian Government’s records management framework. The Department will not receive any information from the survey that could identify individuals or households.

Why you should participate?

It is vital that the survey represents all sectors of the Australian population accurately and fairly.

Feedback on these issues helps the Department to improve the safety of all Australians.

How are participants selected?

In order to ensure that the sample represents all sectors of the Australian population, telephone numbers have been generated at random and therefore include both listed and unlisted numbers.

The process used to randomly generate numbers was to select all eligible 6 digit prefixes in Australia and then randomly add the remaining digits to generate a phone number.

How long will the survey take to complete?

It will take about 20 minutes to complete, depending on your answers. If you would prefer to participate in the survey at another time that is more convenient for you, this can be arranged.

The survey will be conducted until the end of October 2017.

Is the survey compulsory?

No, it is entirely voluntary and you are free to withdraw from the survey at any time.

Why do the researchers need to speak to the person with the most recent birthday?

In order to ensure a representative sample, the researchers need to randomly select a person aged 16 years or over in each household.

How is your privacy protected?

The Department’s contracted service providers will not use or disclose your personal information without your consent for any purpose other than those for which it was collected and notified to you, unless required by or authorised under law.

Under section 95B of the Privacy Act 1988, the Department is required to take contractual measures to ensure its contracted service providers (including sub-contractors) comply with the same privacy requirements applicable to the Department.

The storage and disposal of your personal information (and the disposal of information when no longer required) will be managed in accordance with the Australian Government’s records management framework including the Archives Act 1983, Records Authorities and General Disposal Authorities. This ensures your personal information is held securely.

Further information about the Department’s own personal information handling practices is available in its privacy policy. Further information about the Social Research Centre’s privacy policy.

Where can I get more information?

If you have any questions about the survey, how your personal information will be collected, held, used or disclosed, or if you would like to correct your personal information or make a complaint:

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