How Australians Use Their Mobile Phones

Did you know that 92.2% of Australians use their mobile phones daily? They rely on these smart gadgets to be reachable as they get on with their fast-paced lifestyles. Further, more Australians use their mobile phones for business, connecting on social media, and entertainment. The country has one of the highest smartphone penetration rates of 85.7%. Here is a detailed breakdown of how most Australians used their mobile phones in 2023.

1. Calls & Messaging

The 2023 survey by Deloitte suggests that up to 82% of Australians use their mobile phones to communicate with their loved ones at least once a week. The portable nature of these gadgets makes them easy to use and convenient for busy lifestyles.

Besides, users can install innovative communication apps like WhatsApp, Skype, and Messenger. Loved ones can have real-time face-to-face conversations without incurring huge phone bills.

2. Internet Browsing

The Australian telecommunication industry adopts the latest technological advancements, including 4G and 5G technologies. In turn, mobile phone users enjoy faster internet speeds and browsing experiences.

Hence, up to 85.4% of Australians browse the internet through their smartphones. It surpasses the usage of laptops and desktops for internet browsing, which currently stands at 77.4%.

3. Entertainment

There are numerous entertainment options available to Australians via their mobile phones. These include:

• Music Streaming

Music is an integral part of life for Australians. Locals rely on popular music streaming services like SoundCloud, Apple Music, and Spotify. These apps enable Australians to stream music tracks, create playlists, and watch videos.

• Gaming

The mobile gaming industry in Australia was estimated to be worth $2.2 billion in 2023. This means up to 85% of locals play at least one game on their mobile devices. The most popular mobile games include Candy Crush Saga and Clash of Clans.

Also, with the growth of gambling apps, more Aussies were able to play their favorite casino games from anywhere. Some apps even allow social gambling where players can interact and share their winnings with friends. Platforms like GambleOnlineAustralia.com, give detailed reviews of online casinos and sportsbooks, offering exciting, safe, and secure mobile gambling.

• Virtual Events

Australians use mobile phones to attend virtual events. For example, during the 2023 AGMS Virtual Festival, all the participants attended the festival regardless of their location. The 36th annual Australian International Education Conference (AIEC) 2023 was also hosted online. The attendees live-streamed the sessions and interacted with other participants online. Other locals use their mobile phones for online fitness classes, sports tournaments, and virtual trade shows.

• Podcasts

The Roy Morgan Research group estimates that up to 11.6 million Australians listened to podcasts on their mobile phones in 2023. Another 4 million locals downloaded audio and video podcasts each week. It is a significant increase, considering podcasts were unheard of in Australia just a decade ago.

• eBooks and Audiobooks

Australians also love listening to audiobooks and reading eBooks from their mobile devices. They download e-reader apps and access millions of book titles anywhere, any time. The most popular reading application is the Libby App. It provides free eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, and newspapers in numerous languages.

4. Social Media Engagement

When it comes to social media engagements, Australians prefer using their mobile phones. They are mostly messaging each other, sharing photos and videos, getting instant notifications, and discovering location-based events.

Most Australians who are accessing social media via mobile phones are between 16 and 64 years old. Their preferred social media platforms in 2023 are YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, TikTok, Snapchat, and Twitter.

5. Online Shopping

Online shopping is a convenient way to order and receive products and services in the comfort of your home. For this, more Australians rely on mobile phones to shop and pay using convenient digital wallets. Shoppers can download secure mobile shopping apps from their favorite stores and tap into exclusive deals and promotions. 

Furthermore, shoppers can receive real-time notifications of the latest deals and promotions and be the first to grab such offers.

6. Digital Banking

A growing number of Australians are ditching the long queues at the bank. Today, mobile banking apps are more convenient. Using digital banking saves them time. Within seconds, they can check their bank account balances, pay bills, and transfer money. The Australian Banking Association estimates that 40% of locals leave home without their wallets. Instead, they prefer to transact solely using their mobile phones.

7. Navigation

Aussies relied on mobile phone navigation apps such as Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze, and HERE WeGo. These apps provide real-time traffic updates, offline maps, and crucial information about the public transport system. Road users, cyclists, and pedestrians find the apps very helpful and easy to use. Google Maps had 1.8 billion monthly average users in 2023, generating more than $16 billion in revenues.

8. Business

Today’s professionals rely on business apps to improve productivity and enhance efficiency in the workplace. Likewise, more Australians use mobile phone applications to facilitate business video calls and group messaging. Others collaborate with remote teams and attend virtual meetings from their smartphones. Marketing staff can also manage products and conduct ad campaigns using their mobile devices.

9. Education

Education apps are becoming popular in Australia as parents and students seek better and more effective learning experiences. Also, more apps are becoming available in the classrooms because they are easy to access and offer customized learning. This has contributed to 35% growth in education app market revenue in Australia in 2023.

The future of mobile phone usage in Australia looks promising. Smartphone penetration is expected to reach 87% by 2026. With it comes a greater demand for mobile-based services like emergency services, language translation, and business productivity.