The ABS has released the second weekly estimate of the number of survey forms received for the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey.

The ABS estimates, as of October 6, it has received 10 million (62.5 per cent) survey forms.

That is an increase of 800,000 forms since the previous week.

The estimate is indicative only.

It is based on the bulk containers of returned forms and not a count of individual or processed forms.

It does not include forms that have been posted but not yet delivered by Australia Post to the ABS.

The ABS is providing weekly national estimates of the total number of survey forms received from eligible Australians to help promote awareness of the survey. 

Cowper MP Luke Hartsuyker said it was pretty clear that the community wanted to have a say.

“The postal survey is the opportunity to do just that,” he said.

“I would encourage all people not to sit on the fence but to have their view heard, and regardless of their views on the issue, to fill out the survey.”

Mr Hartsuyker said if you didn’t fill out the survey, you couldn’t complain about the result.

The survey is collecting views on whether the law should be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry.

ABS deputy Australian statistician and taskforce lead Jonathan Palmer said given processing would take quite some time, official statistics including participation rates would not be available until November 15 when the survey results were released.

“The ABS recognises there is great public interest in the survey's progress,” he said.

“These updates may encourage participation by those who have not yet responded and will inform reasonable public expectations about the likely final level of response.”

Eligible Australians have until 6pm on October 20 to order a replacement survey form. 

All eligible Australians are encouraged to return their survey form straight away.

Survey results will be published on the ABS website on November 15, 2017.

Information about the survey is available from www.marriagesurvey.abs.gov.au or by calling the information line on 1800 572 113 between 8am to 8pm.