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(Last Reviewed :  15/02/2008 )

Launch

The Science Industry Action Agenda report, 'Measure by Measure' was launched in Sydney on 31 August 2005. 

Vision for the science industry

The Australian science industry's 10 year vision to 2015 is to be:

"cohesive, export oriented and recognised world wide for its quality, innovation and commercialisation of leading-edge technologies."

To achieve this vision the industry will be:

  • Commercialising a much greater proportion of Australia’s R&D;
  • Exporting more than AU$3bn per year;
  • Generating revenues of more than AU$5bn per year;
  • Growing by an annual average of over 10%; and
  • Attracting and retaining world-class scientists, engineers and commercialises of laboratory technology and services.

Key priorities of the Action Agenda are:

  • Commercialising more Australian public sector scientific research;
  • Growing exports;
  • Improving product and service quality;
  • Harmonising regulations and standards and aligning them internationally;
  • Attracting and retaining a skilled and flexible workforce;
  • Maintaining economic statistics on the science industry; and
  • Implementing the action agenda and improving the industry’s internal and external linkages.

Industry overview

The Australian science industry is defined as research and development, design, production, sale and distribution of laboratory-related goods, services and intellectual capital used for the measurement and analysis of physical, chemical and biological properties.

The industry’s products and services enable better informed business and professional decisions that are essential to sustainable economic growth and the better quality of life that we have come to expect.

The industry’s major segments are:

  • Manufacturers of scientific products;
  • Importer/distributors of scientific products;
  • Laboratory and technical services companies; and
  • Researchers.

In 2004/05, Australia’s domestic market for scientific equipment and laboratory-related services was estimated to be $10 billion.  Employment was estimated to be 51,500.  For manufacturing, production was $940 million, exports $890 million and imports $2,780 million.   For services, production was $4,680 million, of which exports were $140 million.  The industry is growing at more than 10 per cent annually.

Implementation

The Implementation Group was chaired by Professor Chris Fell, AM. Since 7 February 2008, implementation of the science industry's development strategy has been the responsibility of Science Industry Australia's National Council.

Links to publications

Framework Guidelines for Proof Concept Metric

Reports and media

Science Industry Statistics
Measure By Measure, the Science Industry Action Agenda report
Science Industry Fact Sheet

Contacts

For further information please contact:

Ian Beckingham
Manager
Science Industry Action Agenda
Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
Industry House
Level 5, 10 Binara Street
PO Box 9839
CANBERRA CITY ACT 2601

Phone: (02) 6213 7546
Email: ian.beckingham@innovation.gov.au