The Australian Government's Innovation Report

FIGURE 3: Australian innovation performance compared to the OECD average 2002, 2004 & 2006 scorecards
Public R&D
Scientific & technical articles per capita
US patents per capita
Business R&D
Tertiary education
Science graduates in employment aged 25-34
Researchers in labour force
Venture capital
184%
Investment in ICT
Internet usage
Broadband subscribers
Investment in new equipment
International S&E collaboration
MFP growth 1999-2003
-100 -50 0 50 100 150 200
Percentage difference from OECD average
Sources: See Table 13.
2006 Scorecard 2004 Scorecard 2002 Scorecard
Australia performed above the average for 11 out of the 14 comparable indicators in the 2006 scorecard (one
more than in the 2004 scorecard and two more than the 2002 scorecard). Australia’s performance against the average
increased in nine indicators between the 2004 and 2006 scorecards and in eight indicators between the 2002 and
2006 scorecards. A considerable turnaround in performance has been achieved in the broadband subscribers
indicator, which was over 50% below the OECD average only three years ago in 2003 but is now 12% above
the OECD average.
In terms of ranking within the OECD, Australia has improved its relative position in five indicators, remained
in the same position in four and decreased in five. It is important to note when comparing international rankings
that they can be volatile due to differences in measurement across countries and that four of Australia’s rankings
from the 2004 scorecard rankings have been revised upwards due to changes in the data.
Chapter 4 - Australian innovation scorecard 129