The Australian Digital Inclusion Index tracks and reports on digital inclusion in Australia. It hinges on survey data to measure digital inclusion across three dimensions of access, affordability and digital ability and to explore how these dimensions vary across the country and across different social groups. The newly 2021 released index reports 71.1 score, an increase on 2020's score of 67.5. It also highlights that the number of Australians who are highly excluded has declined but remains substantial, 11% of the Australian population is highly excluded, registering an Index score of 45 or below. 'We know from previous years' indexes that digital exclusion reflects and compounds other social disadvantages. Those with less education, lower incomes, or not in work, are likely to struggle with digital inclusion, and those in regional areas also score lower. We need more than ever to understand and address the factors that are leaving people and places behind,' said  South Australian Council of Social Services (SACOSS) chief executive officer (CEO) Ross Womersley.