It’s good but not great.
This afternoon I was reading some articles about Australia’s Digital Competitiveness, what we are doing well and what we are lacking. It got me thinking… Australia, the land of sunshine, stunning beaches, and… well, sometimes questionable internet speeds… is the “lucky country” truly keeping up in the digital race? Digital, AI and business agility is providing us with an opportunity we haven’t seen since the industrial revolution – but we aren’t really making the most of it. This is our time to shine.
A recent report card on Australia’s digital prowess reveals a bit of a mixed bag – some impressive wins, but also some head-scratching weaknesses. Come on Australia, what are we doing?! Let’s dive in and see what’s what.
The World Digital Competitiveness Ranking, an annual report card by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), gives us a snapshot of how countries are in the digital world. In 2024, Australia landed in 15th place out of 67 nations, a slight improvement from 16th in 2023. Not bad, right? But like a rollercoaster, there are some thrilling highs and some… well, let’s just say less thrilling lows. This ranking looks at three main things: knowledge, technology, and future readiness, using a mix of hard facts and expert opinions.
Where We Shine: The Digital High Fives
Okay, let’s start with the good stuff. Australia, we definitely have some digital bragging rights:
Money Matters
We’ve got a top-notch credit rating (1st in the world!). This shows we’ve got a stable economy, which is great for attracting investment and fueling innovation.
Student City
We’re a magnet for international students (2nd globally!). This means we’ve got a constant influx of bright minds and diverse talent, which is a huge plus for our digital workforce.
Startup Central
Starting a business here is relatively easy (5th in the world!). This creates a buzzing startup scene and encourages innovation.
Mobile Masters
We’re killing it with mobile broadband subscriptions (1st in the world!). Everyone’s connected on their phones, which is awesome for accessing digital services and information.
AI Aces
We’re not messing around when it comes to AI policy (8th globally!). We’re setting the stage for a future powered by artificial intelligence.
Research Rockstars
Our researchers are doing some amazing work in AI (13th in peer-reviewed publications!). We’re contributing to the global knowledge base and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
So, we’re not doing too shabby, right? But… there’s always a “but.”
The Digital Head-Scratchers
Where We Need to Step It Up. Now for the not-so-great news. Australia faces some serious challenges that is holding us back:
A huge lack of business agility and leadership
Our businesses need to be more agile and responsive to change (39th and 37th in related rankings!). We need to be ready to adapt to the fast-paced digital world. We need leaders who will take us there, not one or two but in every company.
Internet Speed
… Seriously?: Our internet speed is… well, let’s just say it’s not winning any races (50th globally!). Come on Australia, what are we doing?! This slow internet bandwidth Australia issue is a major roadblock for businesses, education, and just about everything else online. It’s like trying to run a marathon in gumboots.
STEM Struggles
We need more STEM graduates (49th globally!). We need more scientists, engineers, and tech wizards to drive our digital future. This skills gap Australia is a real concern.
Cybersecurity Concerns
Our government cybersecurity capacity needs a boost (46th globally!). With everything going digital, we need to be better at protecting ourselves from cyber threats. This Cybersecurity Australia critical infrastructure issue is paramount.
These are some serious issues, people. We can’t just ignore them.
AI to the Rescue? There is Hope
The fact that AI is now a key part of the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking shows just how important it is. Our strengths in AI policy and research are definitely helping us out. Programs like the CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow are giving our SMEs a boost.
CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow
Helping Our Businesses Level Up. This program is like a digital boot camp for Australian SMEs, giving us all the skills and resources we need to thrive in the digital age. It focuses on everything from AI and machine learning to cybersecurity and robotics – all the cool stuff. This is a great initiative to improve SME digital skills Australia. You can find more information here.
The Bottom Line
we are doing ok, but “she’ll be right mate wont cut the mustard”. We Can Do Better! Look, Australia has a lot going for it. We’re innovative, we’re resourceful, and we’ve got a great foundation. We can’t get complacent.
We need to tackle our weaknesses head-on. Investing in faster internet, boosting STEM education, and strengthening our cybersecurity are crucial. We need to address the digital skills gap in Australia too. We need our business to be more agile, to innovate, drive and embrace change.
Come on, Australia! We can do this!
Let’s build a digital future we can be proud of. Let’s not be the country with the great beaches and the dial-up internet. Let’s be the country that leads the way in the digital age. We have the potential; we just need to use it. If we get this right we could be the wealthiest country in the world.

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