8166.0 - Summary of IT Use and Innovation in Australian Business, 2008-09 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 24/06/2010   
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MEDIA RELEASE
24 June, 2010
Embargoed: 11.30 am (Canberra Time)
77/2010

Value of orders received over the Internet up 52%: ABS

Australian business Internet income increased by 52% in the twelve months to 2008-09, according to a report released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The value of these orders represents $123 billion, up from $81 billion in 2007-08.

Twenty-seven per cent of all business received orders via the Internet. This equated to 193,000 businesses in Australia, an increase of approximately 25,000 businesses over twelve months.

Businesses reporting a web presence increased from 36% to 42%. The majority of all large businesses had a web presence (95%), compared to almost one-third of micro businesses (31%).

Innovation in Australian business

Australian businesses reduced their innovative activity by 11% in 2008-09, including the development or introduction of new or significantly improved goods, services, processes or methods. New marketing methods was the only broad type of innovation to record a noticeable increase compared to the previous year.

Large businesses were more than twice as likely to undertake innovative activity than micro businesses (67% compared to 33%).

Over half of all business in the Wholesale trade industry reported being innovation-active, the highest of any industry.

Further information is available in Summary of IT Use and Innovation in Australian Business (cat. no. 8166.0).

Media Note:
When reporting ABS data the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or ABS) must be attributed as the source.