The Australian Government's Innovation Report

Monitoring and evaluation
published in 2006 are Patterns of Innovation in Australian Businesses, 2003 (cat. no. 8163.0) and
Collaboration and other Factors Influencing Innovation Novelty in Australian Businesses – An Econometric
Analysis (Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, Industry Policy Division, April 2006). A third
publication outlining the results of further econometric analyses completed by the Department of
Industry, Tourism and Resources is expected to be released in late 2006.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has also conducted an innovation survey for the 2005 reference
period, which achieved a response rate of 93%. The first release of summary information from the survey
is due in December 2006 and will include international comparisons. Further data from the survey will be
released via the Bureau’s website as they become available. The 2003 data will be adjusted to reflect
changes in reference periods between the 2003 and 2005 innovation surveys.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics is also conducting an integrated business characteristics survey, which aims
to provide analysts with a rich dataset containing data on business demographics, innovation and business
use of IT and other topics. Core questions on innovation are included in the survey each year. More detailed
questions on innovation and business use of IT will be asked on a biennial basis. The survey will be an
important statistical resource for further research into the linkages between the economic performance
of firms and adoption of innovative practices, use of IT and other changes that effect a firm’s productivity,
growth and other characteristics.
For many years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics has conducted R&D surveys of businesses, higher
education institutions, government and not-for-profit organisations. Major topics covered include resources
devoted to R&D (financial and human) and expenditure by a range of variables such as industry, location,
business size and source of funds. The Bureau released the results from the R&D survey programme in
2006 which can be found in:
• Research and Experimental Development, Higher Education Organisations, Australia, 2004
(cat. no. 8111.0) on 27 July;
• Research and Experimental Development, Businesses, Australia, 2004-05 (cat. no. 8104.0) on
28 August;
• Research and Experimental Development, Government and Private Non-profit Organisations,
Australia, 2004-05 (cat. no. 8109.0) on 6 October; and
• Research and Experimental Development, All Sector Summary, Australia, 2004-05 (cat. no. 8112.0)
on 11 October.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics compiled an information and communication technology (ICT) satellite
account for 2002-03 following strong external interest in the sources of supply of ICT goods and services
and the use of such products. Australian National Accounts: Information and Communication
Technology Satellite Account, 2002-03 (cat. no. 5259.0) provides more information. This publication
represents the first official satellite account on ICT and its direct contribution to the Australian economy.
In particular, it contains data on the contribution of ICT to key macro-economic variables such as gross
domestic product, investment, imports and exports. As this satellite account constitutes an integrated set
of statistics on ICT products and services within the internationally recognised Australian System of
National Accounts, it represents a valuable policy and research tool with a wide range of applications.
Chapter 5 - Moving forward with confidence 149