GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY
The ABS has conducted a number of surveys of government expenditure on ICT over the past decade. The most recent survey was conducted in respect of 2002-03 and a summary of results is shown in table 23.6.
Of the 30,733 ICT employees in all levels of government, Australian (Commonwealth) Government (including higher education) accounted for 49%, state and territory governments 43%, and local government 8%. ICT employees accounted for 5% of Australian Government's total employment which compares with 2% for all levels of government.
Total selected ICT operating expenses for all levels of government was $6.7b. Of this, wages and salaries of ICT employees was 25%, payments to contractors and consultants for ICT services was 25%, telecommunication services was 23% and ICT hardware operating expenses represented 18%.
Total ICT capital expenditure for all levels of government was $2.3b, with ICT hardware making up 58% and software 42%.
23.6 GOVERNMENT ICT EMPLOYMENT AND ICT EXPENDITURE - 2002-03
|
Indicator | Units | Commonwealth
Government(a) | State/territory
government(b) | Local
government(c) | Total |
|
ICT employees | no. | 15,016 | 13,180 | 2,536 | 30,733 |
| ICT employees as a percentage of
total employment | % | 4.5 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 2.2 |
Selected ICT operating expenses: | | | | | |
| Wages and salaries of ICT employees | $m | 836 | 710 | 143 | 1,689 |
| Hardware | $m | 515 | 611 | 84 | 1,209 |
| Software | $m | 269 | 291 | 71 | 631 |
| Telecommunication services | $m | 676 | 755 | 111 | 1,542 |
| Contractors and consultants for ICT
services | $m | 811 | 766 | 101 | 1,678 |
| Total | $m | 3,106 | 3,135 | 509 | 6,749 |
Total selected ICT operating expenses as a
percentage of total operating expenses | % | 7 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
ICT capital expenditure: | | | | | |
| Hardware | $m | 616 | 633 | 100 | 1,349 |
| Software(d) | $m | 485 | 430 | 69 | 985 |
| Total | $m | 1,101 | 1,063 | 169 | 2,333 |
|
(a) Includes higher education.
(b) Includes state/territory general government, vocational and school education.
(c) Includes local government authorities and other administrative bodies such as regional councils.
(d) Includes computer software developed in-house. |
| | | | | | |
Source: Government Technology, Australia, 2002-03 (8119.0). |