1301.0 - Year Book Australia, 2012  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 24/05/2012   
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Info and communication technolodgy

USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

This section focuses on key indicators of the use of information technology (IT) by businesses and households in Australia.


BUSINESSES

In the four-year period from 2005–06 to 2009–10, the proportion of Australian businesses with access to the Internet increased from 81% to 91% and those with a web presence from 30% to 42%. (For the first time, the 2009–10 survey included employing businesses in the Agriculture, forestry and fishing industry. Data presented on comparisons over time exclude these businesses.)

In 2009–10, nearly all (99%) businesses with 200 or more employees had Internet access, while the proportion was 87% for businesses with 0–4 employees (table 25.1). Most businesses with 200 or more employees had a web presence (94%), while over a quarter (29%) of businesses with 0–4 employees had a web presence.

In 2009–10, the proportion of businesses using IT varied considerably across industries. Almost all businesses within the Information media and telecommunications industry had Internet access, followed by Financial and insurance services (98%) and Professional, scientific and technical services (97%). Accommodation and food services had the lowest proportion of businesses with Internet access (74%), followed by Agriculture, forestry and fishing (83%). Web presence was highest in Arts and recreation Services (65%) and Information media and telecommunications (58%), while Agriculture, forestry and fishing and Transport, postal and warehousing had the lowest proportions of businesses with a web presence (11% and 22% respectively).


25.1 BUSINESS USE OF SELECTED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES, AUSTRALIA(a),
By employment size and industry—2009–10

Businesses with Internet access(b)
Businesses with web presence(b)
%
%

Employment size
0–4 persons
87.3
29.2
5–19 persons
93.7
51.5
20–199 persons
96.4
73.0
200 or more persons
99.2
94.0
Industry(c)
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
83.0
10.9
Mining
95.6
48.7
Manufacturing
90.8
52.0
Electricity, gas, water and waste services
88.8
40.8
Construction
91.7
27.4
Wholesale trade
96.1
57.3
Retail trade
88.7
46.0
Accommodation and food services
73.6
42.8
Transport, postal and warehousing
84.1
21.7
Information media and telecommunications
99.8
58.3
Financial and insurance services
98.0
55.8
Rental, hiring and real estate services
89.3
50.3
Professional, scientific and technical services
97.0
50.3
Administrative and support services
92.3
39.6
Health care and social assistance
91.4
36.4
Arts and recreation services
95.3
64.9
Other services
88.9
40.4
Total
90.1
40.0

(a) Proportions are of all businesses in each category.
(b) As at 30 June 2010.
(c) Classified according to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC), 2006 edition (1292.0).
Source: Business use of Information Technology (8129.0).


HOUSEHOLDS

The percentage of Australian households with access to the Internet at home has continued to increase, from 67% in 2006–07 to 79% in 2010–11 (graph 25.2).

25.2 Household access to internet and broadband(a) at home - 2006-07 to 2010-11



There were an estimated 6.2 million households (73% of all households in Australia) with a broadband Internet connection in 2010–11.

In 2006–07, 68% of households with Internet access had a broadband connection. This proportion has grown to 92% in 2010–11.

Home Internet access is more common in households with higher incomes (graph 25.3). The proportion of households in the highest income quintile with Internet access in 2010–11 was 95%, compared with 55% for households in the lowest income quintile.

25.3 Households with home internet access, By equivalised household income quintile(a) - 2010–11



Home Internet access is also more common in households with children under 15 years of age (93%), compared with other households (74%). Additionally, the proportion of households with home Internet access is higher in state and territory capitals (82%) than other areas (74%).

In 2010–11, 83% of households had access to a computer at home (graph 24.4). Since 2006–07, household computer access has increased by 10 percentage points.


25.4 Household access to a computer at home, 2006–07 to 2010–11

 

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Statistics contained in the Year Book are the most recent available at the time of preparation. In many cases, the ABS website and the websites of other organisations provide access to more recent data. Each Year Book table or graph and the bibliography at the end of each chapter provides hyperlinks to the most up to date data release where available.