New census internet trends

Internet is everywhere – almost. Between 2001 and 2006 census, the number of internet connections soared from 35% of households to 64%. At the 2006 census, more than four in 10 households had a broadband connection.

But the census data reveals considerably lower access rates for regional and rural areas, in comparison with major cities of Australia, especially for Broadband access. Remote areas are at least 40% less likely to have Broadband access relative to major cities.

The ACT has the highest proportion of connection to the Internet (75%). NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia have similar levels of Internet connection, ranging between 63% and 65%.

Likewise, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory range between 55% and 58%. Similar patterns were observed for Broadband connectivity as well.

The stats showed evidence of the digital divide between the affluent and everyone else. Individuals living in households with equivalised income of $2000 or more per week are three times more likely to have Broadband access compared to people with less than $600 per week income.

The more education you have, the more likely you have internet and families with children under 15 are most likely to be connected.

Unsurprisingly, young people are more connected. People under 24 years of age have more than 50% likelihood of Broadband access than people aged between 35 and 44 years. People in the age group of 65 to 74 are 42% less likely, and those 75 years or more 34% less likely.