Australian research industry

Australians are making basic discoveries and developing leading-edge applications in many areas -- too many to list in a short article. Go online to http://www.dist.gov.au for information about Australian science.

Research and development (R&D) expenditure in the Australian public sector (government agencies and universities) ranks fifth highest in the OECD. Private sector research is not as strong, but has been improving rapidly.

Australia has about 86,000 people in its R&D workforce. These include 40,000 in universities (including 22,000 postgraduate research students), 25,000 in the business sector and 19,000 working in federal and state government laboratories.

The 1997/1998 federal Budget allocated a projected A$1,600 million to support research in universities. In 1995, Australia's universities graduated 14,600 students with bachelor degrees in science, and 5,900 with bachelor degrees in engineering; and 1,150 science and engineering students received PhDs. Australia also attracts scientists and engineers as immigrants, about 31,000 over a nine-year period.

The Australian public sector R&D system includes 16 government research agencies, six nonprofit institutions, and 45 higher-education institutions and private business laboratories. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), with more than 5,000 professional and technical staff, is the largest and most comprehensive government R&D agency.

Public research bodies such as the CSIRO, the Defense Science and Technology Organization and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization can and do seek partnerships with industry. This helps to generate economic growth in Australia and its trading partners.

The Australian government's tax concession reduces the cost of R&D by allowing higher than normal tax deductions. The concession is widely used, and has provided a major stimulus for the growth in Australia's business R&D.

The Cooperative Research Centers Program, launched in 1990, brings together government, universities and industry to support long-term, high-quality scientific research. More than 60 centers have been established, and the total financial commitments are approaching $3 billion.

Most research centers are based in universities and have industry and CSIRO participation. In addition to the links formed through such centers, many universities have business arms to handle contract research and to seek out companies interested in commercializing research.