In Armidale there are 19 field officer positions available, 8 roles each need to be filled in Guyra, Inverell, Tenterfield and Goondiwindi; while Moree and Glen Innes both have 9 positions waiting to be filled.

Eight field manager roles across the region are also up for grabs.

Census executive director and national spokesperson, Andrew Henderson, said he was still looking for field officers and field managers despite the roles being advertised for more than a month.

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"It's relatively normal in regional areas for it to take this long," he said. "People will step up eventually but we don't have the option of moving people around like we do in the urban areas.

"We really do need to get someone specifically in Armidale or Inverell etcetera to do the job. And local knowledge is really important too, to make sure we do get to every dwelling and every farm."

Mr Henderson said the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) needed to have a 'a bit of reserve capacity' as well because field officers can drop out or get unwell.

"We're still in the process of assessing the applications but we do need to get a few more," he said.

"We're running at about 80 or 90 percent right now. In some cases we will have to get people to travel if we can't get anyone in that town."

Mr Henderson said successful applicants will need to be available from July to September on a part time basis but the hours can be flexible.

"On the busiest days they'll be working four or five hours a day," he said.

"But we do need a fair bit of availability the week before, and the week after, the day of the census which is August 10.

"It's a great job for retirees or those who spend a lot of their time volunteering or doing care work.

"No special experience is required - motivation is what we're looking for."

In a lot of cases field officers will need to go to every property but in the bigger towns a lot of people will do the Census online Mr Henderson said.

"There is phase of getting material out to people and the phase of following people up," he said.

"In regional areas we do tend to get a lot of the same people coming back but people age and that creates a bit of turnover.

"Once you get into the regional areas a lot of people already have their time committed to volunteering.

"We need people in place by early July so we really need people to put their hat in the ring now."

Field officers deliver census instructions and forms and visit households that have not yet responded.

"These officers play a vital role as they promote census participation and answer people's questions," Mr Henderson said.

"They also help members of the public who need special support to complete the census.

"Field managers play a key role in supporting and motivating their teams and resolving problems that arise on the job. They are the eyes and ears of the census on the ground and in the community."

A Census field officer will earn $24.80 per hour (inclusive of 25 percent loading), plus superannuation.

The Census is the largest form of information gathering conducted in Australia and provides a snapshot of the nation and informs government, community and business, according to the ABS.

More information about the census and jobs available can be found on the census website.

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