The digital economy is the global network of economic and social activities that are enabled by platforms such as the internet, mobile and sensor networks. A successful digital economy is essential for Australia's economic growth and our ability to maintain our international standing. It offers new opportunities for businesses to a larger, potentially global audience and for individuals to connect and collaborate.

The Australian Government released the Australia's Digital Economy: Future Directions paper on 14 July 2009 which outlines:

• why the digital economy is important for Australia
• the current state of digital economy engagement in Australia and why current metrics point to a need for strategic action
• the elements of a successful digital economy
• the role for the government in developing Australia's digital economy
• case studies of Australians who have successfully engaged with the digital economy from a diversity of industries including content, e-health, maps, banking, education, smart technology and citizen journalism.

More information about the launch of Australia's Digital Economy: Future Directions, including video of Senator Conroy's keynote address and other guest speakers, is available on this website.

Advancing Australia's digital economy requires action by government, industry and the community. The Australia's Digital Economy: Future Directions paper identifies the key areas of focus to maximise the benefit of the digital economy for all Australians. For background on the development of this paper, please see the What is the Digital Economy? page.

The discussion paper was developed through a three-stage consultation process.

Firstly, the department held a series of workshops and a forum chaired by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, in September 2008. Secondly, a discussion about the digital economy was encouraged on the digital economy blog, which was open for two weeks from 8 to 24 December 2008. Thirdly, the department released a draft paper for consultation. Over 110 submissions in response to the consultation draft were received.

Structure of the paper

The Australia's Digital Economy: Future Directions paper is published in two versions:

• Snapshot (35 pages): this provides an overview of the key areas of focus for government, industry and the community and a summary of some of the case studies.
• Final report (104 pages): this provides more detailed discussion of government and industry initiatives and an in–depth look at 12 case studies which showcases examples of Australians successfully engaging with the digital economy.

The final report and the snapshot have been published in multiple formats. Please choose below from the format of your preference: Rich Text Format (RTF), Portable Document Format (PDF), Open Document Format (presented here with the extension .ODT) and hypertext mark-up language (HTML).

The HTML version is published with social bookmarking tags to allow you to include references to paper sections as part of your online discussions.

Australia's Digital Economy: Future Directions—snapshot

• Snapshot (HTML)
• Snapshot (PDF, 1.2MB)
• Snapshot (RTF, 2.4MB)
• Snapshot (ODT, 2.4MB)

Australia's Digital Economy: Future Directions—final report

• Final report (HTML)
• Final report (PDF, 1.3MB)
• Final report - PART 1 (RTF, 2.8MB) / Final report - PART 2 (RTF, 2.2MB)
• Final report - PART 1 (ODT, 2.3MB) / Final report - PART 2 (ODT, 2.4MB)

Licence terms

This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence.

Both the Australia's Digital Economy: Future Directions final report and the snapshot are licensed to the public to use under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 2.5 Australia License consistent with the policy in this licence notice.

Feedback

If you have feedback about the paper, comments on how we have published it or suggestions for new ideas about how to progress the future of Australia's digital economy or additional case studies, please forward them to DEFutureDirections@dbcde.gov.au or send to:

Assistant Secretary, Digital Economy and Convergence Branch
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
GPO Box 2154
CANBERRA ACT 2601

It is not our intention to publish any comments we receive. However, should we wish to do so, we will contact you to seek your permission.

Contact information

If you would like a copy of the Australia's Digital Economy: Future Directions final report and/or the snapshot, or any other information sent out to you, please call the department on 02 6271 1000 between 9.00am and 5.00pm Eastern Time (Monday to Friday) or email DEFutureDirections@dbcde.gov.au