The digital divide is a significant issue in modern Australia, particularly with the rapid pace of digitisation brought forward by the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital technology has become an essential requirement for work, study, accessing essential services and connecting with family and friends.

The positive news is that the digital divide is slowly improving in Australia, and that initial research points to more people being active online than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, some groups are still more at risk of digital exclusion than others, meaning they are at risk of being left behind and face increasing barriers when interacting with a digitised society. Even after Australians are affordably connected to the internet (a barrier in and of itself), many people still don’t feel confident or safe online, or feel they can’t keep up with technological changes.

This report brings together the latest research and insights from government, community and academia to help build understanding of the digital inclusion landscape in Australia and inform initiatives that could close the digital divide for all.