AbstractSurveys of the aged in Australia are characterised by a limited discussion of the methodology. However it is essential, especially in surveys aiming to discern levels and types of need among older populations, that the degree of representativeness of the survey be clearly established. A move towards needs‐based service delivery systems in Australia will depend upon relevant information being collected from representative samples of older people. The methodology for such data collection needs to be improved. This paper reviews various sampling strategies, and reports upon the methodology employed in obtaining and interviewing a random sample of people aged 70 years or more living at home in Adelaide's “middle subur