Google may be to blame for the young Australians' lack of basic scientific knowledge. Today's Generation Y depends on the popular search engine rather than own brains. Experts say this reliance on the Internet is a factor in the lack of scientific knowledge.

Findings of the national survey for science literacy indicated that only 62 per cent of Australians with ages 18 to 24 know that it takes 1 year for the earth to orbit the sun. The figure is down from 74 per cent based on answers of respondents belonging to the same age group in 2010.

The 2013 survey results are in line with the 2010 results in which most young Australians had a basic knowledge of scientific facts, including how much water covers the Earth and if humans lived with dinosaurs. The survey was conducted by Auspoll with 1,515 people as respondents.

Only 70 per cent of young Australians know about humans influencing evolution. In 2010, 78 per cent of Gen Y answered the question correctly. The science literary survey was conducted by the Australian Academy of Science.

The number of Gen Y Australians who know that evolution is still happening decreased in this year's survey results.

Professor Les Field, Australian Academy of Science secretary for science policy, said it would appear that today's generation of young Australians believed they could do away with basic scientific facts since they could always use Google to search the Web for answers.

Professor Field says Google may have a lot to answer for. The search engine has become an alternative for a basic understanding of scientific facts and things that make the world go round. Field says it's a "worrying wake-up call" to know that science literacy is declining in today's young Australians.

The high school education system in Australia offered too many options for students to avoid subject areas they think are difficult like science. Field says it is good to offer breadth in the education system but fundamental knowledge is also important.

The good news is 73 per cent of Australians knew that humans and dinosaurs did not live at the same time compared to only 70 per cent in 2010.

Ms Field also believes children should be taught the fundamentals of core subjects like math, biology and physics.

In the national survey, younger Australians know more about basic scientific facts than the older population. Younger people in general and men who received higher education were more than likely to get the right answers. 68 per cent of men know that it takes 1 year for the Earth to orbit the sun compared to 50 per cent of women. 78 per cent of higher educated men also got the right answer compared to 63 per cent who only had high school education.