Selected for a business survey
If you are selected for a statutory business survey, you are legally required to complete it under the Statistics of Trade and Employment (Northern Ireland) Order 1988. We will accept estimated figures if it’s not possible for you to provide actual figures.
Complete your survey online
Businesses and other organisations selected for a survey can create an account to complete surveys online.
Already registered online?
If you have already registered with us, all surveys linked to your login email address will appear under your account.
Enter your email address and password to access your surveys.
Create a new online account for your business
If your business does not have an online account, you can set one up here.
Follow the steps outlined in:
- Option A if you have received an email from us; or
- Option B if you have received a letter in the post from us.
Option A
- Select 'Register as New User'
Enter the business email address we contacted you on and chosen Display Name
An email will be sent to your business email address with a link to a temporary password.
- Follow the link in the email to retrieve a temporary password.
Return to the NISRA Business Survey Portal and log on with your business email address and temporary password.
Once logged on, you will be prompted to change the temporary password and then receive a confirmation email once your password has been changed.
It is important you remember the email address and password used to access the portal, all surveys linked to your login email address will appear under your account.
Watch our 2-minute video to explain how to register online.
Option B
- Select ‘Click to Register’
- Select the appropriate survey from the dropdown
- Enter the Reference Number and eForm Registration Code on your letter
- Enter your email address
- Submit Details
You will then receive an email inviting you to return your survey online.
Thank you for returning your survey
We appreciate all the information you return to us through our surveys. Your response helps form an understanding of the local economy and inform key government decision-making.
Find out more about the results of our surveys by clicking on the survey links in the section below.
Our statutory business surveys
The Business Register Inquiry (IDBR Proving) is a quarterly statutory survey of businesses that are registered for Value Added Tax (VAT) and/or operate a Pay As You Earn (PAYE) scheme . The information collected is used to update and maintain the Northern Ireland element of the Inter-Departmental Register.
There are four annual surveys:
- Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES)
- Annual Business Inquiry (ABI)
- Research & Development Survey (R&D)
- Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE)
The Quarterly Business Survey is a combined survey which collects data on employee jobs, turnover, exports and construction output from businesses in Northern Ireland:
Examples of survey forms issued by NISRA can be found here.
See links below for further information: