Innovation and Technology
Objectives
The Innovation and Technology Program provides data to assist the understanding of the impact of research and experimental development, innovation and new technologies on economic and social outcomes. It provides:
- measures of the penetration and use of selected new technologies, particularly information and communication technology (ICT), within Australia, for both businesses and households
- measures of research and experimental development undertaken by businesses, governments, higher education institutions and private not for profit organisations
- measures of innovation for Australian businesses
- the Business Longitudinal Database which is a tool for understanding business activity and possible links to business performance and productivity.
Clients of the program include:
- Australian government agencies including the Departments of: Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy; Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education; Climate Change and Energy Efficiency; and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry as well as the Reserve Bank of Australia, Productivity Commission and Australian Communications and Media Authority
- State and Territory government departments
- industry associations, research organisations, universities and businesses.
Statistics for expenditure on research and experimental development are important inputs to the Australian National Accounts, and accordingly, the ABS National Accounts Program is a key client of the Innovation and Technology Program.
Outputs
The program produces a range of statistical outputs, showing:
- use of ICT by Australian businesses and households
- internet activity conducted through the Australian Internet Service Provider industry
- innovation activities undertaken within the Australian economy
- research and experimental development undertaken by businesses, government, universities and private non-profit organisations
- selected business characteristics data
The program is responsible for the collection and publication of Venture Capital and Later Stage Private Equity statistics on an annual basis. This work is undertaken on a user-funded basis.
The program is also responsible for the production of the Business Longitudinal Database Confidentialised Unit Record File (BLD CURF); a new BLD CURF is released as each panel of businesses completes five years of reporting.
The program contributes to the work of national and international agencies, through input to the review and development of relevant statistical standards and frameworks. Related research papers and discussion papers are made available via the ABS website.
Developments
The main medium-term developments in the program are to:
- contribute to the development of a Broadband Metrics Framework being developed by the OECD which will facilitate international comparisons of broadband uptake and usage – development due to be completed June 2013
- work with the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education and the Australian Public Service Commission to develop measures of public sector innovation (Australian Public Sector Innovation Indicators) and to feed this work into the development of an international framework for measuring innovation in the Public Sector – first stage due June 2013
- implement outcomes from a comprehensive review of existing data collection strategies in the increasingly important area of Research and Development – due to be fully implemented by December 2013
- develop strategies for meeting information needs arising from major government policy initiatives including: the National Broadband Network; Australia’s Digital Economy: Future Directions (July 2009); Powering Ideas, an Innovation Agenda for the 21st Century (May 2009); and Inspiring Australia, a National Strategy for Engagement with the Sciences (Dec 2009) – ongoing.
Program Manager
Jacky Hodges
Assistant Statistician
Innovation and Technology
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