1377.0 - Measures of a Knowledge-based Economy and Society, Australia, 2003  
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Contents >> Information and Communications Technology Indicators >> Use of computers and the Internet on farms

CHARACTERISTIC: BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT USE OF ICT

INDICATOR: Proportion of farms using computers and the Internet for business

In the year to 30 June 2003, an estimated 54% of the 132,983 farms in Australia with an estimated value of agricultural operations (EVAO) of $5,000 or more, had used a computer as part of their business operations, while 46% had used the Internet as part of their business operations. The proportion of farms that have used the Internet has increased by 3 percentage points since the year ended 30 June 2002. For the same period, the proportion of farms that have used a computer has increased by 1 percentage point.

FARM USE OF COMPUTERS AND THE INTERNET (a)
June 2002
June 2003
%
%
Farms using a computer for business purposes
53
54
Farms using the Internet for business operations
43
46
(a) Proportions are of all farms with an estimated value of agricultural operations (EVAO) of $5,000 or more.
Source: ABS Use of Information Technology on Farms, Australia, June 2003 (cat. no. 8150.0).

There was a strong relationship between the proportion of farms using a computer and/or the Internet for business operations and farm size, with larger farms more likely to use one or both of these technologies.

FARM USE OF COMPUTERS AND THE INTERNET, By farm size, June 2003 (a)
Farms using a computer for business operations
Farms using the Internet for business operations
Farm size (EVAO)(b)
%
%
Less than $50,000
38
30
$50,000-$149,999
49
40
$150,000-$249,999
61
50
$250,000-$499,999
72
62
$500,000-$999,999
80
73
$1 million or more
85
79

Total
54
46
(a) Proportions are of all farms with an estimated value of agricultural operations (EVAO) of $5,000 or more in each EVAO category.
(b) Estimated value of agricultural operations.
Source: ABS Use of Information Technology on Farms, Australia, June 2003 (cat. no. 8150.0).

FARMS USING A COMPUTER OR THE INTERNET, BY FARM SIZE, JUNE 2003 (a)

Graph: Farms using a computer or the Internet, by farm size, June 2003

Source: ABS Use of Information Technology on Farms, Australia, June 2003 (cat. no. 8150.0).
(a) Proportions are of all farms with an estimated value of agricultural operations (EVAO) of $5,000 or more in each EVAO category.


STATISTICAL NOTES

Data are from the 2002-03 ABS Agricultural Survey. The scope of the survey is establishments undertaking agricultural activity which have an estimated value of agricultural operations (EVAO) of $5,000 or more. For more information on the Agricultural Survey and the ICT component of the Survey, see the Explanatory notes of publication 8150.0 (these can be found at the end of the Main features).

Farm size
Farm size was determined by the estimated value of agricultural operations (EVAO).

Computer
In the Agricultural Survey, a computer includes personal computers (PCs), laptops, notebooks, personal organisers etc. which can be plugged into larger computers. The computer activities had to be directly related to the farm's business operations.

Internet
A world-wide collection of computers which are linked together to form a repository of stored information and to provide a range of communication services. These services include, but are not limited to, the World Wide Web (WWW), email and extranet.

Internet access
In the Agricultural Survey, Internet access may be through a computer, set top box, games machine, mobile phone or other means. Internet use at locations other than the farm and Internet use not directly related to the farm's business operations, were excluded from the Agricultural Survey



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