Half of Australian Internet Users Report Cybercrime, Government Study Finds

August 14, 2025

Sydney: Nearly half of Australian internet users have fallen victim to cybercrime in the past 12 months, according to a new government report released on Thursday.

The report, compiled by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC), surveyed more than 10,000 internet users across the country. It found that 47.4 per cent of respondents had experienced at least one form of cybercrime over the past year.

Over a longer period, 63.9 per cent of participants reported being victimised by cybercrime at some point in their lives.

Online Abuse and Scams Most Common

The most common type of cybercrime reported was online abuse and harassment, affecting 26.8 per cent of users in the last 12 months. Other prevalent forms included identity theft, malware attacks, and fraud or scams.

Among scam victims, a notable number reported losing money or disclosing sensitive information while attempting to purchase products or services from fake or fraudulent sellers online.

The survey also revealed that 20 per cent of respondents had experienced two or more types of cybercrimes during the same period.

Cybersecurity Habits on the Decline

In addition to rising victimisation rates, the report highlighted a troubling decline in basic cybersecurity practices among Australians.

Only 50.7 per cent of respondents said they used different passwords for secure online accounts in 2024, a drop from 53.2 per cent in 2023. Usage of password managers, regular password updates, and router password protections also declined.

Government Expands Social Media Ban for Children

In a related move to improve online safety, the Australian government announced in late July that YouTube will be included in its upcoming social media ban for children under 16.

Initially granted an exemption due to its educational and health-related content, YouTube has now been added to the ban following advice from eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, who warned that the platform still exposes minors to harmful content.

The ban, set to take effect from December 10, was confirmed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Anika Wells at a press conference in Canberra.