1301.0 - Year Book Australia, 2003  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 24/01/2003   
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Contents >> Communications and Information Technology >> Farm use of information technology

There has been steady growth in the use of information technology by farms in Australia. At June 2000, 58% of Australian farms with an estimated value of agricultural operations (EVAO) of $5,000 or more used a computer, compared with 49% at March 1999 and 40% at March 1998.

An estimated 34% of farms in Australia used the Internet at June 2000, compared with 18% at March 1999 and 11% at March 1998 (table 24.11). Although fewer farms used the Internet than used a computer at June 2000, the 91% increase in the number of farms using the Internet over the 15 months to June 2000 far exceeded the percentage growth in the use of computers for the same period.

At June 2000:

  • the Northern Territory showed the highest proportion of farms using a computer (71%) and the highest proportion of farms using the Internet (49%)
  • New South Wales showed the lowest proportion of farms using a computer (53%) and the lowest proportion of farms using the Internet (31%)
  • the Poultry farming industry showed the highest proportion of farms using a computer (72%) and the highest proportion of farms using the Internet (45%)
  • the Grain, sheep and beef cattle farming industry showed the lowest proportion of farms using a computer (55%) and the lowest proportion of farms using the Internet (31%)
  • there was a strong relationship between farm size, as measured by the EVAO, and the use of a computer and the Internet. As farm size increased so did the proportion of farms using a computer and the Internet. For example, 68% of farms with an EVAO of $1m or more used the Internet, compared with 25% of those with an EVAO less than $50,000.

24.11 FARMS USING A COMPUTER AND THE INTERNET(a)
NSW
Vic.
Qld
SA
WA
Tas.
NT
ACT
Aust.
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
June 2000
Farms using a computer
53
58
58
64
68
57
71
70
58
Farms using the Internet
31
33
32
40
40
35
49
42
34
March 1999
Farms using a computer
49
49
45
53
59
49
65
64
49
Farms using the Internet
19
17
16
19
18
22
31
26
18
March 1998
Farms using a computer
40
37
37
43
49
36
52
55
40
Farms using the Internet
12
10
10
12
10
12
22
20
11
(a) Data were collected in the Agricultural Commodity Survey, reference periods March 1998, March 1999 and June 2000.

Source: Use of Information Technology on Farms, Australia, 1999-2000 (8150.0).



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