INTERNET COMMERCE

Internet commerce is the term used in respect of the placement and receipt of orders via the internet. The ABS defines an order via the internet as a transaction where the commitment to purchase goods or services is made via the internet. The commitment to purchase is the agreement to purchase whether or not the payment is made via the internet. The scope of receiving orders is not limited to orders solely received from Australian households, businesses or government but also includes orders received from overseas customers. Income from the receipt of orders is referred to as internet income.

PLACING ORDERS

During the year ended 30 June 2015, results show that over half of all businesses placed orders via the internet (56%).

The Professional, scientific and technical services industry had the highest proportion of businesses that placed orders for goods or services via the internet (74%). By comparison, 33% of businesses in the Transport, postal and warehousing industry placed orders via the internet.

RECEIVING ORDERS

Measures of receipt of orders via the internet exclude transactions where the commitment to purchase is not made via the internet. For example, regular orders made via the internet for goods or services, where the original commitment to purchase was made using other arrangements are excluded.

Overall, the proportion of businesses that received orders via the internet during 2014-15 was 34%, with income obtained from these orders totalling an estimated $286 billion.

The Wholesale trade industry had the highest proportion of businesses that received orders via the internet during 2014-15 (56%). By comparison, 15% of businesses in the Agriculture, forestry and fishing industry received orders via the internet.

Further statistics relating to internet commerce can be accessed via the Downloads tab.