Communications consumer peak body ACCAN has today welcomed the launch of the 2025 Australian Digital Inclusion Index (ADII) report.
The ADII is a vital source of information on progress in digital inclusion in Australia. The report demonstrates that Australia has continued to make steady progress on digital inclusion, yet large gaps still remain.
The report notes that:
- Around one in five (20.6%) Australians are excluded or highly excluded and roughly one in ten (9.2%) are highly excluded.
- One in ten (9.7%) Australians only have access to a mobile connection.
- Most households on the lowest incomes (below $41,000/year) would need to pay more than 10% of their income to afford a quality connection.
- 45.2% of public housing residents experience digital exclusion.
To help to improve digital inclusion in Australia, the report suggests that:
- 'Governments should support concessional access to home broadband for low-income customers,' and that;
- 'Home broadband should be treated as a critical service in public and community housing. This should be planned and funded alongside electricity, water and safety upgrades and made affordable through concessional prices'.
ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said that these proposals are highly popular in the community, and that those who are more in need are particularly aware of the difference it will make.
"Through our own research, we know that almost 70% of Australians support a concessional broadband service, and support is even higher among low-income households, at 82%," Ms Bennett said.
"The work we are doing on digital inclusion is making a difference, but this report shows there's more to do."
"Right up front, the 2025 report has recommended that the government support concessional broadband for low-income customers."
"It is the most financially disadvantaged and digitally excluded citizens who will benefit from a concessional broadband policy. As the report outlines, many in this cohort fork out over 10% of their income just to get a quality internet connection."
"Too many people are sacrificing connectivity to fund other essentials. We call on the government to consider the economic and social benefits a concessional broadband policy would provide and commit further funding to ensure no Australian is left offline."
About us:
The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) is Australia's peak communication consumer organisation. The operation of ACCAN is made possible by funding provided by the Commonwealth of Australia under section 593 of the Telecommunications Act 1997. This funding is recovered from charges on telecommunications carriers.
