Reading the data

ADII scores range from 0 to 100. The higher the score, the greater the level of digital inclusion. ADII scores are relative: they allow comparisons across different social groups and geographic areas, and over time.

Each of the Index dimensions – Access, Affordability and Digital Ability – are equally weighted to derive the total Index score.

Total Index scores have been classified into four groups: Highly excluded (45 or below), Excluded (above 45 and below 61), Included (61 and below 80) and Highly included (80 and above). The threshold for inclusion indicates that a person scoring above that level can make accessible, affordable, and effective use of the internet. These thresholds are based on the distribution of 2020 Index scores and have been retained for 2021 to measure change from the initial scores.  

All ADII scores and percentages are weighted to the Australian population.

Affordability is measured as a ratio of the potential cost for a quality Internet Bundle to the distribution of household income. This idealised bundle enables both quality and reliable connectivity through a fast internet connection (such as that provided through a cable (HFC) service, NBN 50 or above, or 5G wireless service), an unlimited monthly data allowance through a fixed broadband service, and a mobile broadband or mobile phone data allowance above 61GB per month.

The Affordability ratio is converted to a score between 0 and 1 and multiplied by 100 to present a metric consistent with all dimensions.

A more meaningful way to understand this measure in isolation from the rest of the Index is to convert the score to a percentage of how much people would need to pay as a proportion of their total household income to gain access to the internet bundle: the Affordability stress score.

The Affordability stress score describes the percentage of household income required for a family or single-headed household to gain access to a defined Internet Bundle. It occurs when the lowest income groups (typically defined as those in the lowest 40% of the income distribution) are required to pay a relatively large proportion of their income to access that internet bundle.

The Affordability stress score categorises expenditure on the internet bundle in four categories: up to 2% of household income; up to 5% of household income; up to 10% of household income; and more than 10% of household income.

Having to pay more than 5% of household income on the internet bundle would tip many lower income households into Affordability stress: compromising their capacity to pay for other essential household items. To avoid this, many lower income households buy cheaper and often inferior connections and devices that limit the quality of connections and opportunities of internet use.

Households that need to pay more than 5% of their household income to access the internet bundle are considered to have ‘low Affordability’. Households that need to pay less than 5% of their household income are considered to have ‘high Affordability’.

Age:
Age categories in the Index are broken into five ranges: 18-34, 35-44, 45-54, 65-74, and 75+.

The COVID-19 data presented in the interactive data dashboards was collected only in 2020.

Education status is grouped according to four levels of completion: less than secondary, secondary, certificate or diploma, bachelor and above.

Classified into three groups of employed, unemployed (actively looked for work in the past four weeks) and not in the labour force (including groups such as retirees, students, carers, and home duties/other).

Describes people who identify as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin.

Note, the ADII draws on a national sample size ranging from 2,798 to 2,287 which does not provide sufficient First Nations respondents to generate reliable data. The Index therefore does not provide a score for First Nations people. The Mapping the Digital Gap project (2021-2024) is currently underway and will provide insights into the levels of digital inclusion held by remote First Nations communities.

Describes the difference between Index scores. For example, the gap between the national annual Index score and the score received by a specific region or group in that same year.

The term is also used to describe the difference between Index scores received by social groups within the same year. For example, the age-gap describes the difference in Index scores received by the oldest and youngest Australians.

Male/female/non-binary.

Note, the ADII draws on a national sample size ranging from 2,798 to 2,287 which does not provide sufficient non-binary respondents to generate reliable data. The Index therefore does not provide a score for non-binary populations.

Index scores have been classified into four groups: Highly excluded (45 or below), Excluded (above 45 and below 61), Included (61 and below 80) and Highly included (80 and above). The threshold for inclusion indicates that a person scoring above that level can make accessible, affordable, and effective use of the internet. These thresholds are based on the distribution of 2020 Index scores and have been retained for 2021 to measure change from the initial scores.

Household tenure is presented in four categories: outright owner or purchaser, private renter, social renter, other.

Household type is presented in five categories: single-person household; couple without children; couple with children; one parent family; multi-family/group/other household.

Income is presented in five income ranges. Each range covers approximately 20% of the population (one quintile or Q1-Q5). The ranges from low- to high-income are: Q1: under $33,800, Q2: $33,800 to $51,999, Q3: $52,000 to $90,999, Q4: $91,000 to $155,999, Q5: $156,000 or more.

A bundle of goods that enables quality and reliable connectivity through a fast internet connection (such as that provided through a cable (HFC) service, NBN 50 or above, or 5G service), an unlimited monthly data allowance, and a mobile broadband or mobile phone data allowance above 61GB per month.

People who speak a language other than English (LOTE) at home.

Mobile-only users are people who access the internet primarily through a mobile wireless connection, rather than a fixed broadband service.

People who report the presence of a chronic disability, health condition or injury that restricts their everyday activities.

Based on self-selection of one or more of the following: Family Tax Benefit Part A or Part B; Healthcare Card; Pensioner Concession Card; Commonwealth Seniors Health Card; Age Pension; JobSeeker Allowance; Youth Allowance; JobKeeper; Disability Support Pension; Disability Pension; Mobility Allowance; Carer Allowance; Carer Payment; Austudy; Abstudy; Parenting Payment (single or partnered); Other pension or benefit.

In addition to most states, territories and local government areas, Index scores can be compared by metropolitan versus regional locations.

Small sample sizes can make survey results less reliable. A note will show if the sample size is low and should be treated with caution. Data will not appear in the interactive data dashboards if the sample sizes are not reliable.

2020 data was collected between 24 September and 27 November. 2021 data was collected between 6 April to 3 June 2021.