This article reports the results of a study of the availability and use of environmental statistics in Australia. It is based on an extensive survey of users. The results show that people working in the areas of biodiversity, mining, coastal waters and urbanisation are the most frequent users of environmental statistics, and that public servants and private consultants are particularly dependent on them. While a majority of users are reasonably satisfied with the availability and usefulness of environmental statistics, 30 per cent believe that their needs are met poorly or very poorly. More than a third of users would like to be able to consult a single on-line web site to answer their questions about the availability of environmental statistics.