SHOPPING ONLINE

Access to the Internet enables people to access or purchase information, goods and services regardless of location. However, concerns about security and privacy do exist.

In 2008-09, 64% of people aged 15 years and over who accessed the Internet used it to make online purchases, an increase from 2006-07 (61%). Younger adults aged 25-34 years were more likely to buy goods and services over the Internet than older people, with three-quarters (75%) doing so compared with less than half (45%) of people aged 65 years and over.

People on lower incomes were less likely to make online purchases. In 2008-09, only 54% of those with an income of less than $40,000 made online purchases, compared to 85% of those with an income of $120,000 or over.

People with higher educational qualifications were more likely to purchase goods and services online. In 2008-09 78% of people with a bachelor degree or above made online purchases, compared to 53% of people whose highest level of educational attainment was year 12.

In 2008-09, the most commonly reported main reason for not making online purchases was a lack of need (40% of people who did not make online purchases), followed by security concerns (18%) and preference for shopping in person (18%). For people aged 15-17 years, the main reason was a lack of a credit card (37%) followed by a lack of need (32%).