Liz Allen, a demographer at the Australian National University's Centre for Social Policy Research, said the Census is deliberately designed to provide a broad snapshot of the nation."It gives us an important reference point of who's in the country at that particular time," she told SBS News.The Census is compulsory for all Australians, international visitors, temporary residents, migrants and refugees in the country how and where we live and then housing stock in the country." The Census is usually completed online; however, individual and paper forms can be requested if preferred.For international visitors and students staying in hotels, motels or student accommodation, instructions on how to complete the Census will be provided by accommodation staff.Paper forms should be available at locations including bed and breakfasts, cruise ships, commercial vessels and snowfield accommodation.International visitors staying in holiday rental properties (such as Airbnb or Stayz) can complete the Census online with free internet access