The Australian Government's Innovation Report

Establishing high bandwidth for education and research in metropolitan Adelaide
Linking research and education sites within Australian jurisdictions is a major focus in
building the Australian Research and Education Network.
In South Australia, the establishment of the South Australian Broadband Research and
Education Network (SABREnet) to link university campuses, teaching hospitals and research
institutions is well underway and scheduled for completion in December 2006. The
Australian Government has contributed $4.6 million from the Systemic Infrastructure
Initiative and $2 million from the Higher Education Capital Development Pool, which
funds infrastructure development for universities, to establish SABRENet. The South
Australian Government and universities have also made significant investments.
SABRENet forms part of the Australian Research Education Network and will be one of
Australia’s first and largest purpose-built customer-owned fibre networks. It will enable
very high-speed and cost-effective broadband for the research and education sector in the
Adelaide region. In the future, the capacity for individual researchers and students at Flinders
University, University of Adelaide, University of South Australia and other public sector
learning institutions to connect to each other and to other Australian and international
researchers and students through the Australian Research Education Network will be
increased up to four-fold the speed of high-speed home broadband.
Construction is underway to provide optical fibre connections between 27 primary sites
in the greater Adelaide metropolitan area. Construction is being conducted on public
land controlled by councils and public utilities, whose recognition of the SABRENet’s
public benefit has greatly facilitated land access.
Primary sites of SABRENet
Construction of SABRENet
Photo credits: Photos courtesy
of SABRENet Ltd.
Promoting the internationalisation of R&D
International Science Linkages
International Science Linkages (ISL) helps Australian researchers increase their participation in international
leading-edge scientific research as well as to leverage access to international research funds. It helps raise the profile
of Australian research and supports the development of strategic alliances between Australian and international
researchers and industry. The programme is increasing Australia’s capacity to attract overseas R&D investment,
promoting innovation and increasing the economic and social impact of Australian research.
The ISL programme consists of three components:
• Competitive Grants Funding;
o Competitive Grants;
o Australia-China Special Fund for S&T Cooperation;
o French-Australian Science and Technology Programme;
• Strategic Policy; and
• International Science and Technology Networks (ISTN).
New funding agreements (2006-07 to 2009-10) with the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian
Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering have been finalised, and reflect changes that include
restructuring and re-branding of the ISTN component as the ISL – Science Academies Programme. This change
will enhance the visibility of the programme and the Australian Government’s funding support, but will not
affect the overall delivery.
Chapter 2 - Initiatives for a dynamic national innovation system 51