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Statistical benchmarking
Quality data and research on the fast-moving world of the information economy is a key enabler of policy development. The Department is working to improve the quality of the research and data available to decision makers and the marketplace in this key area.
Project overview
Research and analysis conducted by the Department has relevance across broad areas of the information economy. The key goals of this project are to:
- improve the quality of research available to decision makers;
- advise the Government, industry and the Australian community on the impacts of the information economy on the Australian economy and community;
- develop a set of statistical indicators for benchmarking Australia's progress in the information economy; and
- benchmark Australia's progress in the information economy internationally.
The annual report benchmarks Australia and a range of other countries' performance in the information economy, presenting an Index of indicators relating to readiness to participate in the information economy, and intensity of this participation. The indicators for the Index have the following parameters:
- the relevance of the indicator as a measure of development and progress of the information economy for each one of the countries benchmarked;
- while the Index is an aggregation of heterogenous indicators, for each indicator the data used is to be homogenous in terms of methodology, reference period and clear units of measure; and
- the likelihood of future availability of compatible data for continued benchmarking.
Links to the most recent editions of the Information Economy Index are on the right of this page.
A collection of Australian and international Internet statistics is released in the 
Pocket Stats booklet twice a year. Hard copies of the booklet are also available—please use the contact details on the right of this page.
The Current State of Play: Australia and the Information Economy is an online statistical report from the Department focusing exclusively on data relating to Australia.