Case studies
Read our selection of in-depth case studies that examine topical digital inclusion questions
Case study archive
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Case study: Breaking the inequality cycle – Examining affordability barriers to digital inclusion
As digital services evolve and become ever more embedded in social, economic and cultural life, the ability to afford a reliable, quality internet connection and the devices required for social participation has never been more critical.
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Case study: Mapping the Digital Gap – digital inclusion in remote First Nations communities
Digital inclusion outcomes and access to services are critically important to ensuring informed decision-making and agency among Australia’s First Nations peoples. However, there is a gap between the digital inclusion of First Nations Australians and other Australians.
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Case study: Measuring digital inclusion in North-East Victorian SMEs with Startup Shakeup
This summary findings brief presents the highlights from the North-East Victorian SME (small to medium enterprises) Digital Inclusion Mapping project in which 401 members of the region’s SME workforce completed an adapted Australian Internet Usage Survey.
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Case study: Introducing the revised and updated ADII
This year marks the first release of findings from a revised and updated Australian Digital Inclusion Index. This new version of the Index continues the tradition of the ADII in generating the most nuanced and detailed picture of digital inclusion in Australia.
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Case study: Taking a deep dive into Digital Ability
As digital devices and services become more embedded in daily routines, the Digital Ability needed to navigate them is crucial to ensuring fair and equitable access to essential services and online opportunities
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Case study: Has COVID-19 been a driver of digital inclusion in Australia? Reflecting on early findings
With the introduction of COVID-19 restrictions, much of contemporary life moved online. This case study considers how these restrictions and the associated digital transformation of all facets of life has impacted how Australians use the internet.
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Case study: The impact of COVID-19 and digital inequality on the social isolation and loneliness of older Australians
The implementation of physical distancing measures in Australia, while necessary in slowing the spread of COVID-19, have also established the conditions for an increase in social isolation and loneliness for older Australians.
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Case study: Digital inclusion, low-income families, and online education in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic
As schools physically closed around the country in response to the COVID-19 pandemic there were varied experiences of home-schooling from families with different levels of digital inclusion.
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Case study: Recently-arrived Culturally and Linguistically Diverse migrants
Overall, Australia’s Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) migrant population records a relatively high level of digital inclusion, with above average levels of Access, Affordability and Digital Ability.
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Case study: A remote Indigenous community – Pormpuraaw
Research conducted in the remote community of Pormpuraaw in far north QLD indicates that digital inclusion for Indigenous Australians further diminishes with remoteness, particularly in relation to Access and Affordability.
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Case study: The NBN and digital inclusion
The NBN was designed to reduce the digital disadvantage of regional and remote Australia. The Index shows that it has made a positive difference. But the NBN’s long term effects on Australia’s digital inclusion performance are likely to be complex, and its capacity to meet the future data and network requirements will depend on further...
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Case study: Remote Indigenous community – Ali Curung
The Ali Curung findings reveal some of the complexities of digital inclusion in remote Indigenous communities. While local patterns of use suggest the internet is an important lifeline for those in remote communities, accessing it comes at a higher cost than it does for those in the cities and towns.
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Case study: The deaf and hard of hearing community
Technological advancements continue to enhance the day to day lives of Australians with disability. Results of a recent survey conducted by the ADII research team indicates that the deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) community has embraced digital communication as one such technology, but this comes at cost.
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Case study: Digital inclusion and single parents
Australian telecommunication advertising commonly portray families using home internet to satisfy a wide range of social, entertainment, work, and educational needs. This depiction of home internet as a ‘family essential’ reflects the high rate of family household connectivity.
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Case study: Digital inclusion of Indigenous Australians
The ADII yields important insights into the digital inclusion of Indigenous Australians living in urban and regional areas. While the ADII does not include data for those living in remote areas, the data at national level can be treated with more confidence.
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Case study: Digital inclusion and disability
The ADII reveals how age, gender, and education impact on the digital inclusion of people with a disability. The results raise important questions about how this group can realise the full benefits of a digital era, including access to the NDIS.
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Case study: Digital inclusion in Geelong, Newcastle, and Townsville – a tale of three regional cities
As regional cities assume greater significance in Australia’s social and economic landscape, understanding their digital inclusion becomes increasingly important.
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Case study: Mobile-Only Australians
For many of us, mobile devices and mobile broadband are valuable ways of accessing the internet, and we use them in addition to fixed line services. Mobiles add a personal and flexible dimension to our use of fixed line computers at home, work, or school.
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