More Than Half Of Australians Say Scams Are Becoming Harder To Spot
Good Things Foundation Australia
Key Facts:- More than half of Australians (53%) are worried scams are becoming harder to spot, with only 30% feeling confident they can avoid scams online, according to a nationally representative survey of 2,000 Australian adults by Good Things Australia.
- Many Australians lack confidence in key digital skills, with just 31% able to distinguish reliable from unreliable information online, 28% confident managing privacy and safety settings, and 29% feeling overwhelmed by rapid technological change.
- Good Things Australia is calling for less digitally confident adults, particularly older people, to remain front of mind as the Australian Government develops its proposed Digital Duty of Care, which would require online services to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harms.
- Over a third of Australians (36%) want to learn more about AI, yet only 27% currently feel confident using it, highlighting a growing gap between technological advancement and public digital literacy.
- Get Online Week 2026, running from 19 to 25 October, will offer free community events across Australia providing practical support with digital skills including spotting scams, staying safer online, and understanding AI, building on 2025's success where 97% of participants reported learning something new.
More Than Half Of Australians Say Scams Are Becoming Harder To Spot
New research by Good Things Australia highlights why adults must remain front of mind as Australia develops its digital duty of care
-
53% are worried scams are becoming harder to spot
-
Only 30% feel confident they can avoid scams online
-
Just 28% feel confident managing their privacy and safety settings
As banking, government services, appointments and everyday communication increasingly move online, new research shows many Australians do not feel equipped to navigate the risks that come with it.
A nationally representative survey of 2,000 Australian adults found just 31% feel confident telling the difference between reliable and unreliable information online, while more than one in five (22%) want more education on how to stay safer online.
Good Things Australia says the findings are particularly timely as the Australian Government develops its proposed Digital Duty of Care. An exposure draft released this week would require online services to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harms to Australians. While much of the recent online safety debate has focused on children and young people, adults who are less confident online also need to remain front of mind as the reforms take shape.
Good Things Australia CEO Jess Wilson said people cannot be expected to carry all of the responsibility for navigating online risks themselves.
“More and more of everyday life now happens online, but we can’t assume everyone has been given the skills or support to navigate it safely.”
“When more than half of Australians say scams are getting harder to spot, we can’t put all of the responsibility back on the individual. Australia’s proposed digital duty of care is designed to protect everyone. As it takes shape, we need to make sure older people and those who are less confident online remain front of mind.”
The research also found almost three in ten Australians (29%) feel overwhelmed by rapid changes in technology, 22% say they need help to keep up and 23% feel they have no choice but to do everything online.
AI is another part of that picture. More than a third of Australians (36%) want to learn more about AI, but only 27% currently feel confident using it.
The findings come ahead of Get Online Week 2026, Good Things Australia’s annual national campaign helping people build their digital skills and confidence.
From 19 to 25 October 2026, free Get Online Week events will be held by community organisations around Australia, offering practical support with everything from using a smartphone and accessing essential services online to spotting scams, staying safer online and understanding new technology such as AI.
The campaign has already shown the value of that support. In 2025, 97% of Get Online Week participants said they learnt something new and 97% said they wanted to keep learning digital skills.
Wilson said trusted community organisations play an increasingly important role in helping people navigate those changes.
“People shouldn’t have to figure out scams, privacy settings or essential online services on their own. Technology is changing quickly and it can be difficult to keep up. Get Online Week gives people somewhere local to turn for practical help, without judgement.”
Good Things Australia Digital Champion Chris Bunton, an advocate for people with disability and Down syndrome, said having someone there to help can make a real difference.
“I like trying out new technology, including AI, but not everyone feels that way. Sometimes all it takes is having someone sit with you, show you where to start and let you ask questions.
“That’s what I love about being a Digital Champion. I can help people feel more confident using their devices and be safer online.”
Australians can find out more about Get Online Week and find support at goodthingsaustralia.org/get-online-week
About us:
About Get Online Week 2026:
Get Online Week is Good Things Australia’s national campaign to close the digital divide. From 19 to 25 October 2026, free Get Online Week events will be held by community organisations around Australia, offering practical help with everything from using a smartphone and accessing services online to staying safer online and understanding tools such as AI.
Get Online Week 2026 is supported by Be Connected, Community Grants Partner; National AI Centre, AI Inclusion Partner; Aussie Broadband and nbn Co, Supporting Partners; auDA, Accessibility Partner; and Meltwater, Media Partner.
Learn more about Get Online Week: www.goodthingsaustralia.org/get-online-week
About Good Things Australia:
Good Things Australia are future-focused digital inclusion leaders, advocating, partnering, educating and innovating to ensure no one is left behind in the digital world. Through different programs and in partnership with community organisations around the country, Good Things supports people over 50, migrant and refugee women, people with disability and parents and families to feel safer and more confident online. https://goodthingsaustralia.org
About the Research:
This research by Good Things Australia was conducted in August 2026 among a nationally representative sample of 2,000 Australians aged 18 and over. The sample was weighted against ABS data for age, gender and location. The online survey was independently conducted by PureProfile. As the research was conducted online, people experiencing the highest levels of digital exclusion may be underrepresented. The true impact of digital exclusion may therefore be greater than these findings indicate.
Contact details:
For further information, images, video, and interviews please contact the team at Biased:
Biarta Parnham | E: [email protected] | M: 0438 337 408
Piper Daly | E: [email protected] | M: 0417 814 493
