The Australian Government's Innovation Report

Australian Bureau of Statistics
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is the Australian Government’s national statistical agency. Through
the ABS, Australia has one of the world’s best systems for collecting highly reliable statistics on innovation,
information and communications technology, R&D and related topics. These are prepared to conform to
OECD standards, which enable broad international comparisons. The ABS works closely with a wide range of
stakeholders representing Australian and state government departments and agencies, universities, research
institutions, not-for-profit organisations and private industry.
During 2005-06, the ABS released nine major publications on innovation related topics including five on information
and communication technology, two on research and experimental development and two on innovation.
ABS researchers have analysed the 2003 Innovation Survey data to show the strong links between the extent of
the use of information technology by businesses and their ability to innovate in products and services and operational
and managerial processes. Initial results were presented in the Innovation Analysis Forum conference organised
by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources in April 2006.
The ABS has been working with Biotechnology Australia on the production of an information development
plan for biotechnology statistics. The plan will include a framework to identify statistical measures to quantify the
size and growth of the biotechnology sector and its contributions to the Australian economy.
An ABS senior manager served on the OECD’s National Experts in Science, Technology and Innovation Committee
during the year and the bureau also contributed to the revision of OECD’s Fields of Science classification published
as part of Frascati Manual, which is widely used by OECD member countries for framework development
and international comparison of R&D data.
Three collaborative projects were instigated during the period with other organisations to examine the effects
of innovation on business performance. The projects determine the effects of innovation through the analysis
of micro data collected by the ABS Innovation Survey 2003. The collaborations have been with the Department
of Industry, Tourism and Resources, the University of South Australia and the Productivity Commission.
More information about the ABS can be found at: www.abs.gov.au
Monitoring and evaluation
Commonwealth government science and technology priorities are open to public scrutiny in a variety of
ways. This scrutiny includes an evaluation of the content in the annual reports of departments, information
from research agencies and funding bodies, portfolio budget statements and the work of parliamentary
committees. Formal evaluation programmes are also in place. Each year at Budget time, the government
releases detailed information on the funding of programmes and incentives for science and innovation.
Through the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia has one of the world’s best systems for collecting
highly reliable statistics on innovation, R&D and related topics. These are prepared to conform to OECD
standards, enabling broad international comparisons to be made across available statistical outputs.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics conducted an industry-wide Innovation Survey for the 2003 reference
period with survey results released on 17 February 2005. The results were published in Innovation in
Australian Business, 2003 (cat. no. 8158.0). The survey scope covers most Australian market sectors and
includes businesses identified as having five or more employees. The main topics covered included
innovation activities and outputs, cooperation and linkages, sources of information, technology transfer,
innovation barriers and innovation expenditure. A key focus of this survey was to provide reliable data that could
enable the impacts of innovation on the productivity and performance of businesses to be assessed.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has also undertaken a number of joint collaborations with other
organisations aimed at assessing the impacts of innovation on businesses and links to productivity. Results
from the collaboration with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources that have been
148 Backing Australia’s Ability