Just under $143 billion dollars worth of internet orders were received by Australian businesses in 2009-10, up 15% on the previous year, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Wholesale trade and manufacturing industries continued their lead as the main businesses receiving online orders, both at over 40%. The retail industry came in at fifth place.

Nearly all (94%) of Australia's large businesses had a web presence at 30 June 2010, while micro businesses (employing up to four people) are still the least likely to, with only about one-third offering some form of web presence. Broadband dominated as the internet access method (97%), with little variation between industries.

Primary industry - agriculture, forestry and fishing - was least likely to place online orders, with just over one-quarter (26%) using the internet to make purchases.

Innovation is also on the rise, with 44% of Australian businesses undertaking some form of innovation - developing or introducing of new or significantly improved goods, services, processes or methods - in 2009-10.

Large businesses were more than twice as likely to undertake innovative activity than micro businesses (74% compared to 36%).

Wholesale trade was the most innovative, with almost 60% of businesses in the industry reporting some form of innovation. Innovation in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry was reported by about one-third of those businesses.

Further information is available in Summary of IT Use and Innovation in Australian Business