Australians Now Spend a Full-Time Job’s Worth of Hours Online
A new report shows Aussies are clocking an average of 41 hours per week on the internet, with social media taking up nearly half that time.
If you feel like you’re “always online,” you’re not wrong. A major new report on Australia’s digital habits found we’re spending an average of 41 hours per week online.
That’s more than a standard full-time job and well above the global average of 33 hours.
The “Digital 2026: Australia” report, released today, paints a clear picture of a nation glued to its screens. Here are the key takeaways.
Social Media is Catching Up to Google
Here’s a major shift: social media is now almost as popular as search engines for researching brands. The report found 6 in 10 Australians use social platforms (like TikTok, Instagram, or forums) to check out products and services each month.
We Really Love Reddit
It turns out Australians are huge fans of Reddit. Our usage is three times higher than the global average, and it’s now the country’s fifth most-visited website. Users are also spending more time on Reddit per session than on Facebook or Instagram, signalling a new hotspot for dedicated communities.
YouTube is Still the Undisputed King
Despite the competition, YouTube continues to dominate our attention.
- It reaches a massive 80% of Aussie internet users (21 million people).
- We spend more than 11 minutes per session on the app, longer than any other platform.
But here’s the surprise: YouTube’s biggest advertising audience isn’t teenagers. It’s women aged 65 and over, followed by women aged 35–44.
We’re Using AI, But We’re Wary
While about 30% of Australians say they use ChatGPT monthly, we remain some of the least enthusiastic people in the world about AI. Only 34% of us are “excited” about it.
Even so, AI is quietly changing how we find information. ChatGPT alone is responsible for 85% of all web traffic that comes from a chatbot.
Other Quick Facts from the Report
- TikTok Time: Users who are on TikTok spend an average of 1 hour and 14 minutes per day on the app.
- Gaming Nation: 81% of Australians play video games, with mobile gaming being the most popular (56% of us play on our phones).
- Facebook’s Hidden Power: While it might not feel as dominant, Facebook is still the king of link clicks. It’s responsible for 67% of all web traffic that comes from a social media platform.
- Ad Spending: Digital ads now make up 74% of all ad spending in Australia, totalling $15.4 billion.
The Digital 2026: Australia report was created by Meltwater and We Are Social.
