Hitwise today announced that federal government Web site visits were up 10.4 per cent year-on-year in March 2009.
The Internet traffic monitoring firm's new online government report attributes the growth to Australians finding online government services more useful.
"As times get tough during the economic downturn, government will play an increasingly important role in providing vital services to the community," Hitwise senior analyst Sandra Hanchard said.
"The effective delivery of these services through the online channel can result in cost-savings for government and potentially improve community well-being."
The Bureau of Meteorology Web site lead the way with 44.8 per cent share of visits.
Australian visits to government Web sites shot ahead of US and UK usage in March 2009.