Internet consumption in Australia: private household expenditure and characteristics

The objective of this paper is to study the characteristics of households that have a self-funded Internet connection and the amounts spent for this service. Data from a nationally representative sample of 6,957 households interviewed in 2003-2004 were used. Findings indicate that 42% of all households had Internet connection. These households were more likely to be headed by younger, educated and "well-off" white collar people living in capital cities. The average household spent AUD349 per annum on Internet connections and the total national expenditure was estimated at around AUD1.14 billion.