Thousands of Australians sat in their homes prepared to complete their online census forms capturing a nation-wide snapshot for future statistics, giving the every day person a chance to “make a difference”.

When suddenly an error message popped up, the system was overloaded and Aussies were told to call a hotline in two days time for further instructions.

Port Macquarie residents were among 16 million people who were due to log on to complete their census, swerving away from the traditional paper route.

Here’s what a few Mid North Coast residents had to say on the Port News Facebook page about their online census experience:

“Tried to submit it at least 10 times after filling it in for the four of us. It wouldn't go then logged me out,” said Alison Sherratt.

Jeremy Duncan couldn’t help but hashtag #worsethanpokemonservers. That bad Jeremy?

Whilst Lou Gleeson reminded the Australia Bureau of Statistics April fools was actually in April, not August.

“They didn't deliver us a paper form as we have two houses on our property and only one form. So I rang the number and a guy gave me a login number. All good until we login at 7.30pm. Crash? You’re joking,” Kim Galloway said.

Rae Woodman was ahead of the game.

“I was wise and got a paper copy all signed sealed and ready to post, the old fashioned way,” she said.

Luckily, those who had paper forms delivered were able to, like Rae, complete the census.

Australians who failed to fill out the census because of the hours-long website outage will not be fined, and have until September 23 to complete the survey, according to the federal government.