Overview

We have outlined the important information in the sections below to help you understand the process for 2021 February Census. A quick summary of the key information is included in the table immediately below

What do you need to do?

• Export your data in the format described in the CSNSW Data File Specification

• Upload it to the CSNSW Census Upload portal as described in Uploading data to CSNSW using the Census Upload portal

What if I cannot supply the data requested at all or in the timeframe provided?

We are very aware that the start of the year creates an enormous amount of work in a short space of time. If you have concerns about being able to provide the data we have requested at or, or within the timeframe provided please contact the team at Catholic Schools NSW as soon as you have concerns so that we can discuss options. Our focus will be to work with you to understand what is practical and possible, and are open to understanding how we can better align the data collection to your capabilities.

What if I have questions or need help?

You can contact the team at any time for assistance. For support, please follow the instructions on Getting Support from CSNSW. If you would like to discuss the documentation or get a more detailed briefing on the process you can book a briefing on this Data Collection.

Can I test my data files before the reference date?

Yes, we will be providing updated and detailed instructions on how you can test your files ahead of time so that you are familiar with the process.

Will there be any changes to the File Specification?

We are committed to only making changes to the process that simplify or reduce the effort required to complete the process. We are investigating the following potential changes at the moment:

• Combining the Teaching Staff, Non-Teaching Staff, and Specialist Staff into a single file with the same format

We are also interested in receiving feedback on the accuracy, quality, and feasibility of providing the additional teacher attributes.

Why do we still collect the February Census?

The data collected during the February Census flows into our start of the year planning and reporting obligations to the Bishops and other organisations such as the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC). While we are sticking to a similar format for 2021 to previous years, Catholic Schools NSW is exploring the best way to collect this data for 2022 and beyond.