23 June 2020
Aaron Rathbone
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Our Ref: FOI-1920/78.03
Dear Mr Rathbone
FOI Act Application – Access Decision
I am writing in relation to your application
made under the
Freedom of Information Act, 1982 (
FOI Act) seeking
access to Behavioural Change Survey Questions.
The Statement of Reasons (
attached) outlines the specific terms of the FOI request, the decision-maker’s findings
and the access decision.
An FOI decision may be reviewed, subject to sections 53A and 54 of the FOI Act. Please refer to the Office of the
Australian Information Commissioner’s website at the following
link, which provides details about your rights of
review and other avenues of redress under the FOI Act.
Please feel free to contact me on (02) 9031 3022 if you have any questions, or if you would like to discuss your FOI
application.
Yours sincerely
Rohan Singh
Senior Legal Counsel
FOI Privacy & Knowledge Management
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST – FOI-1920/78.03
ACCESS DECISION
STATEMENT OF REASONS
Background – nbn and the FOI Act
1.
nbn is a government business enterprise (
GBE), which has the mandate of realising the Australian
Government’s vision for the development of Australia’s new broadband infrastructure.
2.
nbn recognises that information is a vital and an invaluable resource, both for the company and for the
broader Australian community. That is why
nbn fosters and promotes a pro-disclosure culture, with the
goal of creating an organisation that is open, transparent and accountable. To that end,
nbn makes a large
amount of information freely available to the public on our website
: http://nbnco.com.au/.
3.
nbn also manages its information assets within the terms and spirit of the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the
FOI Act). We endeavour to release information proactively, while taking into account our
commercial and other legal obligations.
4.
Subject to relevant exemptions, the FOI Act gives the Australian community the right to access documents
held by Commonwealth Government agencies, as well as “prescribed authorities” such as
nbn.
5.
Under subsection 23(1) of the FOI Act,
nbn’s Chief Executive Officer authorises me, to make decisions
about access to documents and related matters under the FOI Act.
6.
Under subsection 26(1) of the FOI Act, I am required to provide a Statement of Reasons for my decisions
in relation to FOI applications. I am also required to set out my findings on any material questions of fact,
referring to the material upon which those findings were based. Those findings are outlined below.
Application Chronology and Scope of Request
7.
On 26 May 2020,
nbn received an email from Aaron Rathbone (the
Applicant) making an application
under the FOI Act requesting:
“the survey document 'Behavioural Change Survey' done by Venture Insights on behalf of NBN Co.
This document request is for the survey questions only.”
8.
On 5 June 2020, I wrote to the Applicant to acknowledge his request.
9.
On 23 June 2020, I made my access decision, as outlined below.
Findings on material questions of fact
10.
Following receipt of the Applicant’s request,
nbn staff undertook searches within the company’s records
and located information falling within the scope of the request, being the survey questions used for the
survey entitled “Behavioural Change Survey” performed by Venture Insights on behalf of
nbn (
Relevant Information).
11.
I am satisfied that
nbn staff have conducted all appropriate searches for the Relevant Information. I am
satisfied that there are no further documents that fall within the scope of the Applicant’s request.
Access Decision
12.
In undertaking my review of the Relevant Information, it is my view, having regard to the nature and
subject matter of the request and the relevant provisions of the FOI Act, that it is appropriate to release
the Relevant Information to the Applicant.
13.
A copy of the Relevant Document is
attached to this Statement of Reasons.
Decision-making Time and Fees
14.
It is
nbn’s general policy to charge applicants for FOI processing time. However, in light of the fact that the
bulk of the Relevant Information is being published online separately in another format, I have decided to
exercise my discretion to waive all applicable fees associated with making this decision. Accordingly, no
fees are payable.
Disclosure log 15.
Ordinarily,
nbn is required to publish documents provided to FOI applicants within 10 working days after
release. In this case, I consider that exceptions as per section 11C of the FOI Act apply, being that it would
be unreasonable to publish the Relevant Documents as it contains personal information about the
Applicant, and about the Applicant’s business, commercial, financial or professional affairs. Accordingly,
nbn will not publish the Relevant Document on its disclosure log.
16.
If you are dissatisfied with this decision, you have certain rights of review. Details regarding your rights of
review and appeal are outlined in the covering letter, provided with this Statement of Reasons.
*****
1 NBN Australian Consumer Behavioural Survey - 2020
The purpose of this survey is to understand the change in consumers broadband usage behaviour due to COVID-
19 for a range of new reasons including work from home, video conferencing with friends and family, school
learning, adult learning and entertainment. Specifically, this survey will focus on:
• How consumers have changed their broadband usage
• What new services are they now aware of and which ones have they actually used, e.g. school
classrooms, video conferencing, remote medical checks, global news etc.
• The rate of usage prior to COVID 19, during the lockdown and expected post lockdown
• Their views on the importance of broadband (prior to COVID 19 and now)
• What issues have they faced ranging from connectivity, home setup, online knowledge etc.
Survey is to national across Australia – requires a representative survey sample across available geographic
regions. 1,200 completes as per survey gating question
2 Survey Gating Question
1.
Do you have a broadband internet connection at your home?
• Yes
• No [END Survey]
General demographics
2.
What is the postcode where you live?
[Enter postcode]
(Note: postcode analysis will be used to ensure a Nationally represented spread of responses in terms of
state and metro/non-metro)
3.
Are you…?
• Male
• Female
• Non-binary / X / Other
4.
Which age band are you in?
• 18 – 24
• 25 – 34
• 35 – 44
• 45 – 54
• 55 – 64
• 65+
5.
Please enter the number of people in your household (including yourself) within the following age bands:
• 0 – 11 years
[enter number of people]
• 12 – 17 years
[enter number of people]
• 18 – 24 years
[enter number of people]
• 25 – 34 years
[enter number of people]
• 35 – 44 years
[enter number of people]
• 45 – 54 years
[enter number of people]
• 55 – 64 years
[enter number of people]
• 65+ years
[enter number of people]
NOTE: Can we make sure one number must be non-zero and can we also allow blank fields (rather than
having to put zero in unused fields)?
6.
What is your total annual household income?
• Less than $25,000
• $25,000 - $49,999
• $50,000 - $74,999
• $75,000 - $99,999
• $100,000 - $124,999
• $125,000 - $149,999
• Greater than $150,000
• Prefer not to say
7.
What type of household or dwelling do you currently live in?
• House
• Apartment
• Other (please specify)
8.
Do you live in an owner occupied or rented household?
• Owner occupier
• Rented
9.
How would you best describe the living arrangement in your home?
• I live with my family
• I live with my partner
• I live in a shared house
• I live alone
• Other (please specify)
3 Broadband and internet usage
In this section we want to understand your knowledge of broadband in the home
10.
Is your household currently connected to the NBN?
• Yes
• No
• Unsure/Don’t know
11.
Who is your broadband provider?
• Telstra
• Optus
• TPG
• Vodafone
• iiNet
• Aussie Broadband
• Belong
• Southern Phone
• Dodo
• Do not know
• Other (please specify)
12.
Do you understand what the difference is between your home broadband speed and bandwidth/capacity?
(select only one)
• Yes [skip next question]
• No [go to next question]
• Unsure [go to next question]
13.
Would you like to better understand the difference between your broadband speed and
bandwidth/capacity? (select only one)
• Yes
• No
14.
Do you know how to set up your
in-home internet to get the fastest speed? (select only one)
• Yes
• No
15.
Since the COVID-19 crisis (after 1 March) have you increased your understanding as to how to get better
internet speed at home? (select only one)
• Yes
• No
16.
Would you like more information on how to get fast internet speed in your home? (select only one)
• Yes
• No
In this section we want to understand how your household broadband usage behaviour has started to change
due to the coronavirus crisis and staying at home.
Working from home
17.
Prior to COVID-19 (before 1 March) were you in full time or part time employment?
• No [go to Question 21]
• Yes [go to next question]
18.
Prior to COVID-19 (before 1 March) did you work from home?
• No, I did not work from home
• Yes, I worked from home sometimes
• Yes, I only worked from home
19.
After the COVID-19 crisis started (from 1 March), did you start working from home and/or increase your
number of days working from home? (select one)
• No – I am not in a position to work from home [skip next question]
• Yes – I started to work from home [go to next question]
• Yes – I increased the number of days I work from home [go to next question]
20.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
• Access to fast broadband has made me feel more secure about my job? (Agree / Disagree)
• I could not complete my job without access to fast broadband? (Agree / Disagree)
• The experience of working from home has positively changed the way I think about managing
work/life flexibility? (Agree / Disagree)
• I expect to work more from home after the COVID-19 crisis and lockdown period has ended (Agree /
Disagree)
Telehealth
21.
Prior to COVID-19 (before 1 March) did you or your household members access online telehealth services
(eg: online GP consultation or online prescriptions) from home? (select one)
• No
• Yes, once or twice
• Yes, regularly
22.
After the COVID-19 crisis started (after 1 March) did you or your household members access online
telehealth services (eg: online GP consultation or online prescriptions) from home? (select one)
• No
• Yes, once or twice
• Yes, regularly
23.
After the COVID-19 crisis and lockdown period has ended do you anticipate using more online telehealth
services in the future? (select one)
• Yes
• No
• Unsure
[if Q20 or Q21 = No]
24.
What were your reasons for not accessing telehealth services? (select all that apply)
• I don’t know what telehealth services are
• I know what telehealth services are but don’t know how to access telehealth services
• I’m concerned about privacy
• I only want a human to human medical consult
• My local GP/medical professionals do not offer telehealth services
• I have not needed a health consult
Online Education
25.
Prior to COVID-19 (before 1 March), please indicate how often you or other household members used the
following online education services?
Did not use
Once or twice per
Regularly
month
Secondary or primary
school online classrooms
in place of attending
school classes during the
day
Secondary or primary
school
homework/learning after
school hours
Online computer skills
training
Online work skills training
Online tertiary education
26.
Since the COVID-19 crisis started (after 1 March), please indicate how often you or other household
members use the following online education services?
Did not use
Once or twice per
Regularly
month
Secondary or primary
school online classrooms
Secondary or primary
school
homework/learning
Online computer skills
training
Online work skills training
Online tertiary education
27.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement; “supporting my child’s education (or my own
education) would not be possible with access to fast broadband”? (select only one)
• Agree
• Disagree
• Not applicable
Social Activities
28.
Prior to COVID-19 (before 1 March), please indicate how often you or other household members used the
following online social activities to connect with people, (eg: using apps such as Zoom, Skype, FaceTime,
Whatsapp, House Party etc.)?
Did not use
Once or twice per
Regularly
month
Social video calls with
work colleagues
Social video calls with
family
Social video calls with
friends
Online exercise class
Live streamed a concert
Online party applications
29.
Since the COVID-19 crisis started (after 1 March), please indicate how often you or other household
members used the following online social activities to connect with people?
Did not use
Once or twice per
Regularly
month
Social video calls with
work colleagues
Social video calls with
family
Social video calls with
friends
Online exercise class
Live streamed a concert
Online party applications
Online Shopping and Local Businesses
30.
Since the COVID-19 crisis, has your household increased its online shopping activities?
• Yes
• No
31.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
• I consciously make a decision to support local businesses online (eg purchasing vouchers / takeaway
deliveries (Agree / Disagree)
• I would like to support more of my local businesses, but they only have a limited online presence
(Agree / Disagree)
32.
What do you think are the top things local small business can do to make it easier for people to support
them? (tick all that apply)
• Develop a stronger online presence
• Communicate more regularly online with their local community
• Be more innovative in their offering
• Alter their operating hours
• Offer home delivery
Home Internet Setup
33.
Since COVID-19 (from 1 March), tick all of the areas where you or your household members have
improved the home internet setup (tick all that apply)
• Created a new/dedicated home office space
• Purchased or upgraded computer(s)
• Purchased new computer peripherals such as webcams, keyboards, monitors
• Purchased new devices such as Tablets
• Purchased new smart devices such as home security, smart lighting
• Purchased new entertainment devices such as smart TVs, media devices or smart speakers
• Improved home wi-fi setup and/or purchased new routers or wi-fi extenders
• Improved home cyber security such as wi-fi and computer passwords
34.
How many new devices (laptops, ipads, webcams, Wi-Fi extenders etc) has your household
purchased during the COVID-19 crisis (from 1 March) to support your online activities such as education and working
from home etc.? (select one)
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5+
35.
How much money do you estimate you have spent on your home internet setup and devices to support
your household online activities since the COVID-19 crisis started (from 1 March)? (select one)
• Less than $250
• $250 - $499
• $500 - $999
• $1,000 - $2,000
• More than $2,000
36.
On a scale of 1 (not important) – 5 (very important), how important did you believe broadband access and
internet services were before the COVID-19 crisis (before 1 March)?
37.
On a scale of 1 (not important) – 5 (very important), how important do you now believe internet access
and services are for you and your family?
[END SURVEY]