NOTES
INTRODUCTION
This release presents summary statistics on Research and Experimental Development (R&D) undertaken by Australian businesses during 2010-11.
Users should refer to the Explanatory and Technical Notes for further contextual information when interpreting these results.
DATA QUALITY
When interpreting the results in this release, it is important to take into account factors that may affect the reliability of estimates and comparability over time. These factors are described in the Non-Sampling Error section of the Technical Note.
This release includes revised data for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 reference periods. Refer to the Revisions section of the Technical Note for details.
ADDITIONAL DATA
More detailed data, including time series data, are available in spreadsheet format (data cubes) on the ABS website <www.abs.gov.au>. See the Downloads page for this issue (cat. no. 8104.0).
RELEASE OF GROSS EXPENDITURE ON RESEARCH AND EXPERIMENTAL DEVELOPMENT (GERD)
Gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) was previously released biennially as part of Research and Experimental Development, All Sector Summary (cat. no. 8112.0), which was ceased following the 2008-09 issue. An estimate of GERD for 2010-11 has been made available as part of this publication release. Please refer to the Appendix - Gross Expenditure on R&D.
FREQUENCY CHANGE
The frequency of the Survey of Research and Experimental Development (R&D), Businesses is planned to change from annual to biennial following the next cycle (2011-12). This change is pending the final results of a review of all R&D statistics.
INQUIRIES
For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or Amanda Baile on Perth (08) 9360 5357.
SUMMARY COMMENTARY
BUSINESS RESOURCES DEVOTED TO RESEARCH AND EXPERIMENTAL DEVELOPMENT (R&D)
During 2010-11, expenditure on R&D by Australian businesses was $17,880 million. Business expenditure on R&D (BERD) increased by 7% in current price terms and 6% in chain volume terms in 2010-11. This followed a decrease of 3% in current price terms in 2009-10.
Business human resources devoted to R&D in 2010-11 totalled 56,532 person years of effort (PYE), a decrease of 2% from 2009-10.
BUSINESS RESOURCES DEVOTED TO R&D |
|
 | | | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09(a) | 2009-10(a) | 2010-11 |
|
| Expenditure on R&D | | | | | | |
| Current prices | $m | 12 639 | 15 047 | 17 291 | 16 762 | 17 880 |
| Chain volume measures(b) | $m | 14 166 | 16 087 | 17 722 | 16 829 | 17 880 |
| Human resources devoted to R&D | PYE | 46 462 | 50 896 | 53 886 | 57 888 | 56 532 |
|
| (a) Some 2008-09 and 2009-10 data have been revised. See the Revisions section of the Technical Note for details. |
| (b) The reference year for chain volume measures is 2010-11. See Explanatory Notes 31 and 32 for details. |
Subsequent expenditure figures and supporting commentary relate to current price terms.
BERD and Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
BERD as a proportion of GDP decreased, down from 1.30% in 2009-10 to 1.28% to 2010-11.
BERD, as a proportion of GDP(a)
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