"When that study was broken down, 62 per cent of the 2.6 million had incomes of less than $25,000 while 53 per cent were aged 55 years or more and a majority of the respondents lived in non-capital city areas," Corbin said.

The ACMA study also found that one third of the respondents still used the internet via a library or a school while 42 per cent indicated that they used internet services outside the home because cost was a factor and home connections were too expensive. "We are very concerned there will still be a digital divide going forward because in some areas the only service might be an expensive satellite or wireless service," she said.

"Whilst we think that overall the NBN will be significant leveller we are concerned that people who can't access the internet now, won't be able to even when the NBN rolls out."

Follow Hamish Barwick on Twitter: @HamishBarwick

Follow Computerworld Australia on Twitter: @ComputerworldAU