Small and medium-sized enterprises in Australia are continuing to take up e-commerce to cut costs, improve transaction flows and automate their businesses, new ABS figures show.
84% of all Australian businesses use a computer, 69% of these with Internet access and 22% maintaining a permanent web presence.
The penetration rate of SMEs accessing the Internet grew from 56% to 69% up to 475,360.
79% of SMEs are now using a computer, 64% with Internet access and 14% with a web presence, according to Minister for IT and Communications Senator Richard Alston.
“In recognition of this online growth, the federal government is providing $6.5 million to provide tools, skills training and information for time-poor small businesses wishing to embrace e-commerce and reap the benefits that online technologies can deliver including new market opportunities, and increased efficiency and competitiveness,” Alston said.
“This will encourage SMEs to become e-businesses through the provision of cost-effective electronic procurement software solutions to enable online transactions with government, in addition to training and support.”