INTRODUCTION
This publication presents statistics on the use of computers and the Internet by farms in Australia. The data were obtained from questions included in the 2002-03 Agricultural Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Information obtained was in respect of the year ended 30 June 2003. Some comparisons with data collected in the 2001-2002 Agricultural Survey have been included.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
- Of the 132,983 Australian farms with an estimated value of agriculture earnings (EVAO) of $5,000 or more, an estimated 54% (or 71,936 farms) used a computer and 46% (or 60,459 farms) used the Internet as part of their business operations for the year ended 30 June 2003.
- Western Australia reported the highest proportion of farms using a computer for business operations (67%) and the highest proportion using the Internet for business operations (59%), while Victoria reported the lowest proportions, with 49% and 40% respectively.
FARM COMPUTER AND INTERNET USAGE, by state/territory
![Graph - Farm Computer and Internet Usage, by state/territory](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/671bb561df46dfcdca2570c60071fa56/Body/0.1968!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
- The horticulture and fruit growing, poultry farming and other crop growing industries reported the highest proportion of farms using the Internet (51%), while the grain, sheep and beef cattle farming and dairy cattle farming industries reported the lowest proportion of farms using the Internet (both 44%).
FARMS USING A COMPUTER OR THE INTERNET, by industry
![Graph - Farms using a Computer or the Internet, by Industry](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/671bb561df46dfcdca2570c60071fa56/Body/0.6EC0!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
OTHER INFORMATION
The publication also contains further detailed information on the above points of interest as well other information relating to computer and Internet use, including:
- Use of computers and the Internet, by region
- Use of computers and the Internet, by farm size