Internet of Things (IoT) in Australia - statistics & facts
The internet of things (IoT) has played a significant role in global development trends, affecting nearly every industry worldwide. IoT describes the interconnection of everyday objects embedded with technology, such as sensors, software, and processing units, that allow the exchange of data via the internet or other communications networks. This affects many aspects of day-to-day life in Australia, where the average number of internet-connected devices per household was expected to reach almost 34. Aside from household use, the IoT has multiple applications across many of Australia’s most important industries, such as agriculture and mining.
Complementing the connectivity of devices is the cloud computing market. Aside from IT and technical fields, the mining industry is also one of the leading paid cloud computing services users in terms of share of businesses. With the integration of IoT technology already common across many industries, cloud storage is becoming increasingly important. In 2024, Australia had 307 data centers, among the highest number in the world.
In September 2020, the Australian Government implemented a voluntary, principles-based IoT Code (Code of Practice: Securing the Internet of Things for Consumers). As consumer data protection becomes more prevalent regarding IoT and cloud technology, a shift towards a mandatory IoT standard looks likely.
What are the key drivers of IoT in Australia?
The implementation of 5G internet across Australia is reflected by the major telco operators increasing their 5G availability. Faster mobile internet supports the growth of IoT through enhanced mobile broadband, massive machine-to-machine communications, and ultra-reliable, low latency communications (URLLC). In an Australian context, this has many implications, from IoT sensors in the agriculture industry to improving manufacturing processes.Complementing the connectivity of devices is the cloud computing market. Aside from IT and technical fields, the mining industry is also one of the leading paid cloud computing services users in terms of share of businesses. With the integration of IoT technology already common across many industries, cloud storage is becoming increasingly important. In 2024, Australia had 307 data centers, among the highest number in the world.
Challenges to the digital revolution
Data collection is one of the necessities of IoT technology. However, managing this data can lead to data security and privacy challenges. The Privacy Act and Australian Consumer Law (ACL) protect Australian consumers when using cloud services. The former regulates how most businesses handle personal information, while the latter protects consumers against unfair contractual terms and conditions and misleading representations, among other protections.In September 2020, the Australian Government implemented a voluntary, principles-based IoT Code (Code of Practice: Securing the Internet of Things for Consumers). As consumer data protection becomes more prevalent regarding IoT and cloud technology, a shift towards a mandatory IoT standard looks likely.
