Closing the gap on digital disadvantage

Digital inclusion is improving nationally, but remote First Nations communities face a significant 25.3-point gap.

Heath Gibson · Executive Manager – Industry Intelligence and Insights at NBN Australia6 October 2023Period: October 20234 min read

Last updated 8 June 2026

73.2↑

Australia's average Digital Inclusion Index score (2023)

25.3 pts→

Gap between remote First Nations and national ADII results

Locked

+1more stats

Companies covered:The Smith FamilyRMITARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society

Abstract

This report analyses the persistent digital divide in Australia, noting that while the national Digital Inclusion Index (ADII) has improved from 67.5 in 2020 to 73.2 in 2023, significant disparities remain. Remote First Nations communities are particularly disadvantaged, with index scores as low as 48.0, representing a 25.3-point gap against national results. The brief explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on digital equity and the telecommunications industry's role in meeting the 'Closing the Gap Agreement 2020' targets by 2026.

Key Takeaways

Australia's national Digital Inclusion Index (ADII) improved from 67.5 in 2020 to 73.2 in 2023.
Remote First Nations communities face extreme disadvantage with ADII scores as low as 48.0.
A massive 45.9% of remote First Nations people are 'highly excluded' from the digital economy.

stakeholder implications · PDF download

Frequently Asked Questions

The national Digital Inclusion Index (ADII) rose from 67.5 in 2020 to 73.2 in 2023. However, this progress is uneven, leaving a 25.3-point gap between remote First Nations communities and the national average.

Digital exclusion is critical, with 45.9% of remote First Nations people classified as highly excluded from the digital economy. In these regions, ADII scores drop as low as 48.0, significantly trailing the national benchmark of 73.2.

Over 75% of remote community members are mobile-only users, a segment characterized by high device sharing. This reliance on mobile infrastructure highlights a lack of fixed-line penetration and a dependency on shared hardware.

The Closing the Gap Agreement 2020 sets a hard target for digital inclusion parity by 2026. Achieving this requires a 7.5-point improvement in the First Nations digital gap within the next three years.

Closing the gap on digital disadvantage

Abstract

Key Takeaways

Frequently Asked Questions

Unlock the full report

Free

Lite

Team