Today The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, Federal Minister for Communications, launched the third year of PayPal Australia’s Driving Business Online (DBO) campaign – a national education program to help small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) take advantage of the digital economy.

DBO was first launched at Parliament House in 2011, founded by PayPal Australia with the support of its many partners. Now in its third year the program continues to help thousands of Australian businesses understand technology and use it to their full advantage – from online payment services, to integrated invoicing, bill payment options and in-store solutions.

Technology comprehension continues to be one of the major challenges impacting the growth of Australian SMEs, with three in five (57%) claiming that low levels of digital literacy is preventing them from running their business more efficiently, according to new research commissioned by PayPal Australia.

"Small businesses are a cornerstone of the Australian economy; it is vitally important that public and private sector unite to empower their ongoing success, ensuring that technology does not serve to disproportionately favour geographies, demographics or industry sectors,” said Jeff Clementz, Managing Director, PayPal Australia. “With exciting new technologies emerging every day it is more important than ever that we continue our commitment to supporting Australian small business with the resources necessary to take advantage of every opportunity the internet affords.”

Speaking at the 2013 Driving Business Online launch event in Sydney this morning, Federal Minister for Communications, The Hon Malcolm Turnbull said: “The Government is committed to helping more Australian businesses online. However many businesses don’t have the skills or tools they need to maximise the opportunities presented by the digital economy. I congratulate, and thank, PayPal for their fantastic Driving Business Online initiative which has already helped thousands of businesses reap the rewards.”

The Driving Business Online website hosts a series of webinars and articles for SMEs to help them manage their business online.