Targeted action is required to minimise the extent to which digital exclusion overlaps with, and exacerbates, social exclusion and to maximise the extent to which the benefits outlined above are enjoyed by all Australian families and communities.
About 26 per cent of Australians 15 years or over did not use the internet in 2008-09. This figure is much higher for retired persons, low-income earners, Indigenous Australians and those living in remote areas.
Thirty-seven per cent of people aged 55-64 did not use the internet in 2008-09, compared with 69 per cent of people aged 65 or more. Similarly, 34 per cent of people earning less than $40,000 a year did not use the internet in 2008-09 and nor did 34 per cent of people living in outer regional and remote areas. People with a profound or severe disability requiring assistance with core activities have significantly lower access to the internet and broadband than other Australians. For example, about 28 per cent of people with a disability requiring assistance with core activities have broadband access in comparison to about 48 per cent of people who do not need assistance with core activities.
