Digital literacy and e-skills: participation in the digital economy

This is the final report for the project commissioned by Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA) to confirm and validate, through consultation with experts, existing and new skill sets and competencies fundamental to digital literacy. Digital literacy is defined as the ability to use information and communications technology (ICT) such as computers and the Internet. This underpins Australia’s capacity to provide individuals and groups with equity of access to social opportunity and for participation in the digital economy. The information contained in this report will assist IBSA and governments to focus on digital literacy and enabling participation in the digital economy by those groups most affected by low digital literacy, including: those with low incomes; those who lack tertiary level education; those who are older, aged over 55 years; those who live in rural and remote areas; those who have Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage; those who have a disability; or those who have non-English speaking backgrounds. The findings from this project also argue that small businesses should be considered at risk of digital exclusion.

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