The report presents how Australians use, trust and navigate the internet in 2026. The research involved Australian adults and small business owners and managers. It highlights that the internet is undoubtedly essential infrastructure, much like water and electricity. However, with increased reliance on the internet also comes challenges and new opportunities.

The report examines the Australian community’s experiences with digital service problems and challenges resolving online complaints. The report reveals widespread problems with digital services – people find it hard or impossible to get help. It finds that unresolved digital service problems are costing the Australian community an estimated $497 million per year.

Children today are growing up online. This report offers a snapshot of how children aged 10 to 17 in Australia are navigating it. The report explores children’s online participation; the impact of online participation on children; behaviours that may increase exposure to online harm; and strategies and sources of knowledge for keeping safe online.

Australians are losing time and money, and are experiencing emotional distress, due to poor cancellation practices for phone and internet services by telecommunications providers. This policy position statement calls for 13 improvements across three key areas: empowering consumers to make informed decisions, removing cancellation barriers and offering fair remedies.

The increasing availability of illicit, untraceable and unregistered privately manufactured 3D-printed firearms poses a significant safety risk to frontline law enforcement officers and the community at large. Using data from a large national survey, the authors measured exposure to digital firearms products being sold online.