Measuring digital inclusion to increase equitable access for all

A long-term research project and index is providing vital information about digital inclusion to improve access to and effective use of digital technologies for all Australians.

SDGs

Key points

Ongoing research provides critical insights and data on digital inclusion in Australia
The Australian Digital Inclusion Index project measures Access, Affordability and Digital Ability to provide the most comprehensive evidence base for understanding digital inclusion in Australia. The research informs policy and practice aimed at achieving a more equitable and inclusive digital society
Supplementary research aims to help close the digital gap for First Nations communities

Research gives critical insights into digital inclusion

The rapid increase of digital technologies and increasing use across many aspects of our lives means it is crucial to ensure inclusive and equitable digital access to all.

The Australian Digital Inclusion Index (ADII) was first developed in 2015 by RMIT researchers in partnership with Telstra to gain insights on how best to increase digital inclusion in Australia. The partnership with Telstra continues, and the project now forms part of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society.

Measuring digital inclusion across three dimensions – Access, Affordability and Digital Ability – the survey data has been collected biennially and informed digital equity policies, programs and initiatives across Australia.

Project lead Distinguished Professor Julian Thomas highlighted the urgent need for this information, noting that despite digital transformations affecting many aspects of our society, some groups were still missing out on the benefits of digital access.

“While digital inclusion at the national level continues to improve, the number of Australians who are highly excluded remains substantial,” said Thomas.

“In 2023, an estimated 9.4% of Australians were missing out on the education, health, social, and financial benefits associated with being connected online,” he said.

“Barriers to inclusion may be related to accessing networks, the costs of devices or data, or skills and literacies.

“This detailed measure of digital inclusion has highlighted how access, affordability and digital ability varies across Australia and different social groups and where initiatives to improve this situation need to be focused.”

Distinguished Professor Julian Thomas, Director ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society

As stated in the 2023 ADII Report:

While overall Index scores are improving, and the percentage of digitally excluded Australians continues to fall, a substantial gap remains between people with low and high incomes, older and younger people, and unemployed and employed people, particularly in terms of Digital Ability.

Explore ADII 2023 key findings and next steps

Mapping the Digital Gap –Remote First Nations communities among the most digitally excluded

A research project supplementing the ADII, Mapping the Digital Gap, is the first comprehensive study of remote First Nations communities’ participation in, and access to, the digital economy.

The study was established through the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S), in partnership with Telstra in 2021.

About 43% of the 1,545 First Nations communities and homelands across Australia have no mobile service – including some with only a shared public phone or no telecommunications access – highlighting a need for action to close the digital gap.

The “Mapping the Digital Gap” 2023 Outcomes Report addresses the previous lack of data on the nature and scale of the digital gap for First Nations people.

Gangan co-researcher Djamika Ganambarr uses the public phone which is the primary means of phone communication for most Gangan residents.

Key findings of the project include:

45.9% of remote First Nations research participants are highly excluded, compared to 9.4% percent of the Australian population, illustrating the considerable disparities.
Nationally, the gap in digital access between First Nations people and other Australians is 7.5 points out of 100. But the gap widens significantly to 24.5 points for remote First Nations people and 25.4 points for those living in very remote communities.

Dr Daniel Featherstone, Senior Research Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society

Lead investigator and Senior Research Fellow, Dr Daniel Featherstone, said with government and other services increasingly moving online, it’s crucial that all Australians can effectively access and use digital technologies, regardless of where they live.

“We use these technologies to access essential services for health, welfare, finance and education, participate in social and cultural activities, follow news and media, as well as connect with family, friends, and the wider world,” said Featherstone.

Improving digital inclusion and access to services is critically important to ensure informed decision-making and agency among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The research team has actively contributed to policy and program reviews, including participation on the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group to Communications Minister Hon. Michelle Rowland MP. Mapping the Digital Gap researcher and Alyawarr man Associate Professor Lyndon Ormond-Parker co-chairs the advisory group and Featherstone is a member of the expert panel.

A further RMIT-led ADM+S report has found remote First Nations communities are particularly disadvantaged by local bank closures due to the lack of affordable and reliable internet.

Next steps for the project include further research with updated community reports and contributions to the Australian Digital Inclusion Index dashboard and reporting, with a second phase of the project funded by Telstra from 2025- 2027.

Co-researcher Lala Gutchen raising her phone for internet reception while taking the team out fishing.

Through these initiatives, we hope to contribute to closing the digital gap and helping foster agency and self-determination across Australia’s remote First Nations communities.

Research outcomes and impact highlights

Thomas said the ongoing measurement and extensive insights and data gained by the Australian Digital Inclusion Index and the Mapping the Digital Gap projects allow for an improved understanding of the barriers to Access, Affordability, and Digital Ability and what needs to be done to better respond to digital inequalities.

“The most significant impact at this stage is reflected in the policy and programs which are already having positive social impacts,” he said.

The information is continuing to be used widely to inform planning responses, policies and solutions across government, private industry, education and the not-for-profit sectors to ensure greater digital inclusion for the Australian community.

This includes:

Australian and state government commitment to the Closing the Gap digital inclusion. Achieving equal levels of digital inclusion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has been listed as a key target in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, using the ADII as a measure.
Telstra uses the data extensively to target and shape their specialised programs to help vulnerable and other customers stay connected.
The ADII is used by the Victorian Government in submissions to advocate for public funding focused on improving digital inclusion.
The Australian Broadband Advisory Council used the ADII data to argue for increased public investment.

Mapping the Digital Gap is funded by Telstra and the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society.

“Mapping the Digital Gap: 2023 Outcomes Report” was prepared for ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society. (DOI: 10.25916/a01g-fp91).

Daniel Featherstone, Lyndon Ormond-Parker, Lauren Ganley, Julian Thomas, Sharon Parkinson, Kieran Hegarty, Jenny Kennedy, Indigo Holcombe-James, Lucy Valenta and Leah Hawkins are co-authors.

Key contacts

Distinguished Professor Julian Thomas

Director, ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society

Dr Daniel Featherstone

Senior Research Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society

School of Media and Communication, College of Design and Social Context

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