The Digital Divide: Improving the lives of Australians through digital inclusion
Scroll
By Rhiana Dabboussy
The use of digital products and services is rapidly accelerating. Over recent years, we have witnessed unprecedented digital growth and transformation across both the public and private sectors, changing the way we work, play and communicate. We are now, more than we ever have been, reliant on the use of technology in our everyday lives.
Digitisation has numerous benefits. It can streamline processes, increase ease of access, and promote service efficiency. When services are digitised, they hold the potential to be more inclusive, consistent and transparent. For example, digitisation empowers people to take control over their health, education and social connectedness without having to leave the house.
However, though digital products and services can benefit the lives of some, for others, they can feel uncomfortable and difficult to navigate. It is therefore up to designers and governments to ensure that all users are able to interact seamlessly with the digital world. This requires time and research in tailoring approaches and solutions that cater to all, not just the select few.
To this end, the Australian Digital Inclusion Index (ADII) provides a ‘detailed measure of digital inclusion so that Australia can identify critical barriers to inclusion’.1 Through the ADII, Australia can build initiatives that increase digital inclusion and create tailored policies and programs that respond to digital inequalities.
Key Findings of the 2023 ADII Report
The 2023 ADII report shows that digital inclusion at the national level continues to steadily improve, with the overall 2023 ADII score reaching 73.2. This is a rise from 67.5 (2020), to 71.1 (2021), to 73.2 (2023).
It offers the following key insights:
5.0 City capital gap: Though the disparity between metropolitan areas and regions outside of capital cities is steadily decreasing, it remains significant. Non-capital city areas reported an Index score of 69.8 – 3.4 points lower than the national average, and 5.0 points less than the score in capital cities.
9.4% highly excluded: 9.4% of the Australian populace still falls into the category of high exclusion. Certain demographics, for example individuals over 75 years of age and those with incomplete secondary education, still face elevated levels of digital exclusion.
95.0 affordability score: Affordability has shown improvement on a national scale since 2021. However, certain demographic groups still grapple with significant affordability challenges, with some households needing to allocate over 5% of their income to maintain reliable and high-quality connectivity.
72.0 access score: The national access score has increased from 70.0 in 2021 to 72.0 in 2023. However, several groups remain well below the national average. These groups include First Nations Peoples living in remote and very remote communities, people over 75 years of age, and those in the lowest income quintile.
64.9 digital ability score: The national Digital Ability score has seen a slight improvement, moving from 64.4 points in 2021 to 64.9 in 2023. However, some demographic groups have witnessed a decline in their Digital Ability scores. This groups include people in the lowest income quintile and Australians aged over 75.
28.8 income gap: Digital inclusion rises with education, employment, and income levels. For example, Australians holding a bachelor’s degree or higher achieved an Index score of 79.9 – a 23.6-point difference compared to those who did not complete secondary school. Employed Australians secured an Index score of 79.5, 12.7 points higher than those who were unemployed.
48.5 age 75+: Digital inclusion remains closely associated with age, with individuals aged over 65 exhibiting lower scores than the national average. Persons within the 65-74 age bracket record scores 12.1 points below the national average, while those over 75 score notably lower, with a gap of 24.6 points.
80.2 couples with children: Couples with children are the most digitally included, with an Index score of 80.2 – 7.0 points above the national average. In contrast, Australians who live alone experience significantly lower digital inclusion.
61.6 people living in public housing: People living in public housing achieved an Index score that was 11.6 points lower than the national average and showed a slower rate of digital inclusion score growth compared to the broader population.
10.5% mobile only users: The number of mobile-only users has slightly increased, from 9.6% in 2021 to 10.5% in 2023.
Digital inclusion in remote First Nations communities
The availability of access to digital resources is a pressing concern in remote First Nations communities. In 2023, the digital disparity stands at 7.5 and is most prominent in remote regions.
In order to combat this gap, the Mapping the Digital Gap project – a four-year research project conducted by the ARC – provides a comprehensive study of remote First Nations communities’ participation in the digital economy. The project’s objectives include:
Generate a detailed account of the distribution of digital inclusion and use of digital services, including news and media, across 10-12 remote First Nations communities
Track changes in measures of digital inclusion for these communities over time
Inform local strategies to improve digital inclusion capabilities and services and enable informed decision-making
Provide evidence to inform policy and resourcing by government and industry.2
The Mapping the Digital Gap project informs policy development in relation to Closing the Gap Outcome 17. So far, it has provided critical research and results identifying key obstacles, priorities and strategies to close the digital gap.
Where to now?
In order to properly utilise all that digitisation has to offer, designers and governments must ensure products and services are inclusive, engaging, and offer freedom of choice. Things like making technologies more affordable, improving internet connectivity, and increasing digital literacy will improve Australians’ digital participation and promote inclusivity. In a world where engaging with technology is unavoidable, it is essential that all Australians are provided with equal access to digital products and services so that they can benefit from all that the digital economy has to offer.
1 Thomas, J., McCosker, A., Parkinson, S., Hegarty, K., Featherstone, D., Kennedy, J., Holcombe-James, I., Ormond-Parker, L., & Ganley, L. (2023). Measuring Australia’s Digital Divide: Australian Digital Inclusion Index: 2023. Melbourne: ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, RMIT University, Swinburne University of Technology, and Telstra.
2 Featherstone D, Ormond-Parker L, Ganley L, Thomas J, Parkinson, S, Hegarty K, Kennedy J, Holcombe-James I, Valenta L, Hawkins, L (2023) Mapping the Digital Gap: 2023 Outcomes Report, Melbourne: ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, DOI: 10.25916/ a01g-fp91.
