The CSTACI is a council of high level officials (which meets twice a year) from the Australian Government, the State and Territory governments, and the New Zealand Government who advise and coordinate comment on their innovation policy, activities and programs. With a targeted and strategic approach to innovation issues, the Council aims to improve the effectiveness, integration and coordination of the national innovation system.
The Terms of Reference for CSTACI were endorsed by the industry, innovation and science ministers in September 2009.
The Australian Government's Innovation Agenda, Powering Ideas, identifies CSTACI as the mechanism to improve intergovernmental coordination. Specifically, Powering Ideas articulates CSTACI's role in coordinating the design and delivery of business innovation programs through the adoption and implementation of the Framework of Principles for Innovation Initiatives. On 4 December 2009, the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research announced whole-of-government agreement and adoption of the Framework.
One of the major projects udertaken by the CSTACI is the preparation of the Innovation Initiatives Database [
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The database is a list of innovation-type programs available across Australia. The data is based on a survey of CSTACI members and is not a census undertaken by the Department. Please note that the database does not reflect all the activities undertaken by governments to foster innovation in Australia, such as investments in major physical infrastructure and education or changes to macro-economic settings. Data is collected as at a specific point in time and provides a snapshot of innovation initiatives in operation at each collection point. The 2011 Database is a snapshot of innovation initiatives that were available as of October 2011. Changes in governments and organisations may mean that details of some initiatives have changed, some initiatives may have ceased and new initiatives may have started that are not included in this list.
For more information please e-mail the Secretariat.