The number of Australian households with internet access grew to 2.3 million or 33% in the 12 months to May 2000 according to research conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The figure compares to 22% in May 1999.

The ABS also found that nearly half of Australia's adult population - or 6.4 million people - accessed the internet at least once during the period. In addition, 54% of households (3.8 million) currently have a computer compared to 47% in May 1999.

Almost 6% of Australian adults or 802,000 people used the internet to purchase or order goods and services during the period. Books, magazines, computer software and music remain the most common types of goods or services purchased.