The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) will conduct a postal survey to request statistical information from all Australians on the Commonwealth Electoral Roll, as to their views on whether or not the law should be changed to allow same sex couples to marry.

Australians have until 6 pm on Thursday the 24th of August to ensure they are on the electoral roll or to make a valid request for enrolment in order to receive the necessary documentation to enable them to participate in the voluntary survey.

The ABS is finalising the survey process, including supporting participation by all eligible Australians including those without access to mail, vision impaired or are overseas, and will provide details when they are available.

The ABS assures Australians that there will be no personal identifiers on the survey form and all materials will be destroyed by the ABS at the end of processing.

The ABS has formed a Taskforce to deliver the survey which will involve ballot papers going to every enrolled Australian from next month, to be returned by November 7 and the result will be published late in November.

Those who may be unsure if they are eligible to receive a survey form are encouraged to visit the ABS website to enrol or check their details.