Internet grows as domestic force

Tuesday, 11 January, 2000 - 21:00
Nearly 23 per cent of all Australian households had home Internet access in August 1999 compared with 18 per cent in August 1998, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures.

Almost half of all Australian households – just under 3.4 million – had a home computer in August 1999, a slight increase on the previous year.

More 650,000 Australian adults used the Internet to order or purchase goods or services in August.

In the twelve months to August 1999, almost 5.6 million adults accessed the Internet

compared to 4.2 million in the twelve months to August 1998.

In August 1999, 18 to 24 year olds had the highest level of Internet use at 74 per cent.

More adult males accessed the Internet than females with figures of 46 per cent and 36 per cent respectively.

The survey also showed that in the three months to August 1999, 3 per cent of adults used the Internet to pay bills or transfer funds, 40 per cent used the telephone to pay bills or transfer funds, 62 per cent used EFTPOS and 70 per cent used an ATM.