Australians Get Connected

Australians Get Connected

The latest figures released by the Bureau of Statistics show Australians have embraced the Internet and broadband, in particular, at an alarming rate.

At the end of September 2004, more than 5.7 million Australians were Internet subscribers, an increase of more than 520,000 (10%) from the end of March 2004.

The largest growth was in non dial-up subscribers from 861,000 at the end of March 2004 to 1.3 million at the end of September 2004.

Non dial-up subscribers now represent almost 23% of total Internet subscribers in Australia.

Australian households account for most of the growth from non dial-up subscribers with an increase of 58% in these subscriptions from the end of March 2004.

Data downloaded by subscribers during September 2004 increased 72% to 11,004 million MBs. Again non dial-up subscribers accounted for the great share of this with 84% of the total data downloaded done so by this group.

The penetration, use and impact of the Internet is also being reflected by a number of reports and inquiries currently under consideration.

The Federal Department of Communications Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) has released two discussion papers on the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the community, in building social capital and in the nonprofit sector.

The papers are intended to stimulate public discussion and provide a basis for consultation on the social and community impacts of ICT. The papers are available here. The deadline for submissions and responses is Thursday 31 March 2005.

Federal, State and Territory Education Ministers have also released a Joint Statement on Education and Training in the Information Economy. It is likely to be considered further by Ministers at their Ministerial Council meeting in May 2005. The full statement can be found here.

Springboard Australia is monitoring both these of processes and can assist any organisation want to contribute to them or be kept informed of developments.