Digital Economy of Australia

            
             Published by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
             PO Box 13112 Law Courts Melbourne VIC 8010.
             Tel: 03 9963 6800.
             Fax: 03 9963 6899.
             TTY: 03 9963 6948.
             Sydney .
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             Tel: 02 9334 7700, 1800 226 667.
             Fax: 02 9334 7799.
             Contents.
             Summary 1.
             1 Introduction 3.
             1.1 Report background 3.
             1.2 Research objectives 3.
             2 Methodology 4.
             1.3 Roy Morgan Single Source Database 4.
             1.4 Definition of terms 4.
             3 Overview of internet users 6.
             1.5 Internet and broadband connection at home 7.
             1.6 Ever used the internet 8.
             1.7 Time spent online 9.
             4 Online participation 14.
             1.8 Online activities, services and content 14.
             Frequency of internet use 17.
             Age 17.
             Gender 19.
             Income 20.
             Work status 20.
             type of internet connection 22.
             1.9 Use of emerging online activities 23.
             Frequency of use of emerging online applications 28.
             Broadband and the use of emerging online applications 29.
             5 Non-connected Australians 30.
             Profile of those without a home internet connection 30.
             Likelihood of using the internet in the future 32.
             Reasons for non-connection 34.
             Conclusion 35.
             Summary .
             This report explores take-up and use of the internet, and seeks to build an understanding of the factors which influence people's decisions to participate online. The trends in internet use show that in the quarter to June 2008, 87  per cent of Australians aged 14 and over had used the internet, with 83  per cent of these logging on at least weekly.
             This report is the second in the Australia in the Digital Economy series highlighting Australian's participation in the online environment. It builds on the first report, Trust and Confidence,1 which explores Australian internet users' attitudes and behaviours towards their online security, and on internet use as explored in the ACMA Communications Report 2007-08.2 .
             The take-up and use of the internet and online services is affected by a number of socioeconomic and demographic factors.