Participant demographics

CX research has focused on recruiting a broad and diverse range of participants. This page includes research participant figures and percentages for demographic information, financial literacy, energy literacy, digital use and CDR behavioural archetypes.
From Q4 2018 to Q1 2024, 1035 unique participants have been engaged for CX research. 20 of these participants have been reengaged on 2+ occasions. The figures and percentages on this page draw from a pool of 906 participants.
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Approach

A broad and diverse range of participants were recruited to help reduce bias and research out risk. A ‘no edge cases’ approach has been taken; deeming certain groups and needs as not important is antithetical to the design of an inclusive Consumer Data Right (CDR). Instead of focusing on those who are already likely and able to adopt CDR, the research focuses on removing the barriers to CDR being inclusive and accessible, which will make CDR easier and simpler to access for everyone.

The recruitment process strives to reflect the demographic percentages outlined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), and explicitly includes those who may be experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage.

How do we define vulnerability?

Demographic information

Age group

We ask participants to indicate their age group.

We collect and use this information to recruit a diverse representation of Australia's population.

Table 1. Age

Age groupRelated population group# of participants% of participants% of Australian population

Young adult

94

10.3%

6.7%

Middle adulthood

195

21.3%

14.9%

Middle adulthood

219

23.9%

13.4%

Older adulthood to average retirement

125

13.6%

12.6%

Older adulthood to average retirement

145

15.8%

11.6%

Retirement

99

10.8%

9.2%

Retirement

39

4.3%

7.1%

Table 1 values are attributed to ABS Age Standard and ABS Population estimates by age and sex.

Location

We ask participants to indicate their state or territory, area and postcode.

We collect and use this information to recruit a diverse representation of Australia's population.

Table 2. States and territories

State or territory# of participants% of participants% of Australian population

229

25%

31.8%

185

20.2%

25.9%

199

21.7%

20.2%

107

11.7%

6.9%

84

9.2%

10.4%

32

3.5%

2.1%

18

2%

1%

62

6.8%

1.7%

Table 2 values are attributed to ABS State and territories population.

Table 3. Statistical Area

Statistical Area (aggregated)Related cohort# of participants% of participants% of Australian population

• Metropolitan or inner city; • Suburban or outer city

693

75.7%

67.7%

• Rural; • Large town; • Small or remote town

223

24.3%

32.3%

Table 3 values are attributed to ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area.

Gender

We ask participants to indicate their gender identity, expression and experience as a man, woman or non-binary person.

The terms sex and gender are interrelated and often used interchangeably, however they are two distinct concepts. ABS population estimates by sex have used as a baseline for participant recruitment.

We collect and use this information to recruit a diverse representation of Australia's population.

Table 4. Gender

Gender# of participants% of participants% of Australian population

429

46.8%

49.6%

465

50.8%

50.4%

20

2.2%

0%

1

0.1%

0%

1

0.1%

0%

Table 4 values are attributed to ABS Standard for Sex, Gender, Variations of Sex Characteristics and Sexual Orientation Variables and ABS Population estimates by age and sex.

Background identity

We ask participants to indicate their cultural identity, accessibly needs and/or sexual orientation. We infer that these characteristics may impact a person's wellbeing and social experiences, access to employment, education and other services.

We collect and use this information to recruit a diverse representation of Australia's population.

Table 5. Cultural identity, accessibility needs and sexual orientation

Population characteristicRelated cohort# of participants% of participants% of Australian population

I migrated to Australia from another country

245

27.7%

29.8%

I am of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent

54

6.1%

3.3%

I have accessibility needs

71

8%

17.7%

I am LGBTQI+

113

12.8%

4%

Table 5 values are attributed to multiple datasets; ABS Migration, Australia, ABS Estimates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, ABS Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia [10] and ABS General Social Survey: Summary Results, Australia.

Household

We ask participants to indicate their household and family situation to infer factors that may influence financial decisions.

We collect and use this information to recruit a diverse representation of Australia's population.

Table 6. Households, families and persons

Table 6 values are attributed to ABS Family characteristics and transitions.

Financial stress

We ask participants to indicate their household's financial situation. Financial stress experienced by households is measured through a range of indicators including: the inability to raise $2,000 for something important, whether a household has experienced a cash flow problem in the last 12 months and whether a household took a dissaving action in the last 12 months. This follows methodology used in ABS General Social Survey.

We collect and use this information to recruit a diverse representation of Australia's population.

Table 7. Financial stress

Cohort# of participants% of participantsProportion of households (average)

462

60.3%

79.1%

308

40.2%

20.8%

Table 7 values are attributed to ABS General Social Survey: Summary Results, Australia and ABS General Social Survey: Summary Results, Australia methodology.

Employment status

We ask participants to indicate their employment type to infer factors that may influence financial decisions.

We collect and use this information to recruit a diverse representation of Australia's population.

Table 8. Employment and unemployment

Potential workersRelated cohort# of participants% of participants% of Australians 15+

• Employed by a company (full-time or part-time); • Self-employed as a sole trader, freelancer or contractor; • Self-employed with a small business that employs other people

537

76.7%

62.8%

• Unemployed; • Permanently unable to work; • Temporarily not working but has a job to go to, or return to; • Retired

168

24%

37.2%

Table 8 values are for the population who were 15 years or over and attributed to ABS Potential workers.

Financial sector

We ask participants to indicate the types of accounts they hold as well as their relationship with other account holders. Experience with the financial sector is measured through a range of indicators including: bill comprehension, frequency of interactions, variety of interactions, and use of additional products or services. We infer that these factors may influence a person's comprehension of data language and likelihood to use the CDR.

We collect and use this information to recruit a diverse representation of Australia's population.

Table 9. Financial literacy and experience

Level of financial literacy# of participants% of participants

23

19.3%

32

26.9%

64

53.8%

Energy sector

We ask participants to indicate the types of accounts they hold as well as energy retailer. Experience with the energy sector is measured through a range of indicators including: bill comprehension, frequency of interactions, variety of interactions, and use of additional products or services. We infer that these indicators may influence a person's comprehension of data language and likelihood to use the CDR.

We collect and use this information to recruit a diverse representation of Australia's population.

Table 10. Energy literacy and experience

Level of energy literacy# of participants% of participants

65

33.9%

11

5.7%

116

60.4%

Digital use

We ask participants to indicate their Digital Ability and importance of privacy when choosing a digital service. We infer that these factors may influence a person's propensity to share data and likelihood to use the CDR.

We collect and use this information to recruit a diverse representation of Australia's population.

Digital ability

Digital ability captures both the confidence with which we use the internet and associated technologies, and the extent to which they are integrated into our lives.

Digital ability is measured based on Attitudes, Basic Skills, and Activities. This follows methodology used in Australian Digital Inclusion Index (ADII) Single Source survey.

Table 11. Digital ability

Level of digital ability# of participants% of participants

12

2.9%

56

13.7%

342

83.4%

Importance of privacy when choosing a digital service

Concerns around privacy of information are even more prevalent in the digital space. Importance of privacy is based on a scale of "Not important" to "Extremely important". This follows methodology used in Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) Australian Community Attitudes to Privacy Survey (ACAPS).

Table 12. Importance of privacy when choosing a digital service

Level of privacy importanceRelated cohort# of participants% of participants% of Australians 18+

• Don’t know; • Not important

40

4.9%

5%

Quite important

203

25%

26%

• Very important; • Extremely important

570

70.2%

70%

Table 12 values are for the population who were 18 years or over and attributed to OAIC ACAPS.

CDR behavioural archetypes

User archetypes are useful tools to segment and succinctly describe the different drivers, behaviours and needs observed throughout research. CDR behavioural archetypes are representations of actions and general attitudes toward data sharing.

Participants were given questions to assess their attitude towards the CDR process and proposed use case.

Approach

Participants complete survey questions to self-assess their attitudes towards data sharing, privacy, general trust in Government and Industry, as well as digital adoption habits. Participant responses are used to assign them to one of the 4 CDR behavioural archetypes.

Table 13. CDR behavioural archetypes

ArchetypeDescription# of participants% of participants

Low propensity to share Sceptics are less trusting of organisations and/or technology. They generally value control, and are adverse to data sharing based on experience with current practices.

83

22.3%

Medium Low propensity to share Assurance seekers want to read additional information. They generally value familiarity and external reference/support, and are apprehensive to new experiences.

179

48%

Medium High propensity to share Sensemakers need to understand how the process works. They generally value details, and can trust the process if given enough valuable information.

104

27.9%

High propensity to share Enthusiasts are excited to get the benefits of CDR. They generally value simple experiences once trust is established.

17

4.6%

Further information about our approach, descriptions and design rationale can be found on Behavioural archetypes.

About this page

References

TitleAuthorYearURLType
Australian Bureau of Statistics
2014
Other
Australian Bureau of Statistics
2015
Other
Australian Bureau of Statistics
2016
Other
Australian Bureau of Statistics
2018
Other
Australian Bureau of Statistics
2019
Other
Australian Bureau of Statistics
2020
Other
Australian Bureau of Statistics
2020
Other
Australian Digital Inclusion Index
2020
Other
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission
2021
Other
Australian Bureau of Statistics
2021
Other
Australian Bureau of Statistics
2021
Other
Australian Bureau of Statistics
2021
Other
Australian Bureau of Statistics
2021
Other
Australian Bureau of Statistics
2021
Other
Australian Bureau of Statistics
2021
Other
OAIC
2023
Other

Last updated

This page was updated @September 27, 2024

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