New figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that in 2012–2013, a massive 76 per cent of Australia’s 15.4 million internet users (persons aged 15 and over) made a purchase or placed an order over the internet.
Of Australia’s 15.4 million internet users, 11,704,000 made a purchase or placed an order over the internet in the 2012–2013.
While there is a slightly higher proportion of male than female internet users (84 per cent compared to 83 per cent), the reverse is true for online shopping in 2012–2013. Over three quarters (76 per cent) of female internet users shopped online compared to 75 per cent of male internet users.
Travel, accommodation, memberships or tickets of any kind were the most common type of purchase for both males and females.
The second most popular online shopping items for females were clothes, cosmetics or jewellery (59 per cent), in comparison to males second most popular purchases of CDs, music, DVDs, videos, books or magazines (50 per cent).
The two most popular activities performed on the internet at home were paying bills or banking online and social networking.
Social networking was more common for younger people: 90 per cent of 15 to 17 year olds and 92 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds performed this activity.