The cash-strapped Australian Bureau of Statistics has put 150 jobs on the line.

The bureau finished the past financial year over $36 million in the red, and is now looking to trim its numbers by up to 150 employees through an immediate voluntary redundancies program.

The job cuts will do nothing for morale at the ABS, which has been battered over August's Census debacle and faces ongoing financial strife.

Chief Statistician David Kalisch recently announced data collection on foreign ownership of agricultural businesses, industrial disputes, motor vehicle sales, livestock slaughter, and crime offenders and victims, will soon stop because of the financial pressure.

But the Bureau is framing the voluntary redundancies as “part of a planned approach to transform its workforce for the future” with “at least 100 packages” would be offered.

“The voluntary redundancies are necessary as we transition from higher staffing levels required to implement the 2016 Census,” a statement said.

“With the Government's $257 million investment to modernise the ABS' ageing IT systems and processes, the agency will achieve efficiencies and require fewer staff in coming years.

“As the ABS shifts from manual processes and identifies efficiencies, staff with skills that are not essential for the future (including staff in roles that are no longer required) may apply for packages.”

The Community and Public Sector Union pinned the job cuts on budget cuts imposed by the Turnbull Government.

“The ABS is an absolutely critical national institution,” union deputy national secretary Melissa Donnelly said.

“Its data is a cornerstone not just of effective government but is also extremely valuable to the private sector.

“Cutting these 150 jobs has been forced on the ABS by the Turnbull Government's stupidly short-sighted budget decisions.

“We are seriously concerned that the ABS is continually being forced to make decisions solely based on its meagre budget.

“The bureau needs adequate funding to provide robust, accurate data, and that's clearly not currently the case.”

The ABS says the workforce changes are being made in consultation with the CPSU and in line with legislative requirements.