In 2012-13, more than three quarters (76 per cent) of Australia’s 15.4 million internet users made a purchase or order over the internet, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

“The most popular types of purchases were travel, accommodation, memberships or tickets of any kind,” David Taylor, ABS assistant director of the innovation and technology statistics branch,” said.

While there is a slightly higher proportion of male than female internet users (84 per cent compared to 83 per cent) the reverse is true for online shopping in 2012–13.

More than three quarters (76 per cent) of female internet users shopped online compared to 75 per cent of male internet users.

Travel, accommodation, memberships, or tickets of any kind were the most common type of purchase for both males and females.

The second most popular online shopping items for females were clothes, cosmetics, or jewellery (59 per cent), in comparison to males second most popular purchases of CDs, music, DVDs, videos, books, or magazines (50 per cent).

The two most popular activities performed on the internet at home were paying bills or banking online and social networking.

Social networking was more common for younger people: 90 per cent of 15 to 17 year olds and 92 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds performed this activity.