Australia's economic, social and environmental well-being depends on having a world-class science and research sector that is globally engaged: sharing international knowledge and expertise, having access to world-class infrastructure, and leading efforts to address global challenges such as climate change.
To achieve this, the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research:
- Manages government to government science and research relationships.
- Develops and manages bilateral science and technology (S&T) agreements.
- Manages involvement by the Australian Government within international science and technology steering committees, working groups, forums and multilateral science bodies, including the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the European Commission, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
- Provides information and advice to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research on a wide range of scientific and technological issues.
- Supports Ministerial and other high level delegations to and from a wide range of countries.
- Builds and maintains effective, national and international relationships with stakeholders in the science, research, industry and general community sectors.
- Collects a wide range of information and data on global science and research.
International programs, grants and funds
Through a suite of initiatives and funding programs, the Department of Innovation supports Australian researchers to participate in leading-edge science with international partners:
Evaluation of the International Science Linkages Program
In 2010-11 the Department of Innovation undertook an evaluation of the International Science Linkages (ISL) program. For more information please see the Executive Summary and Recommendations [
PDF 216KB] [
RTF 84KB].
Government response to the House of Representatives report into Australia’s International Research Collaboration
On 23 June 2011, the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research tabled the Australian Government’s response to the recommendations made in the House of Representatives former Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Innovation inquiry report into Australia’s International Research Collaboration.
For more information please see the Australian Government's response [
PDF 104KB] [RTF 630KB].
Overseas representation
The Department of Innovation maintains four dedicated science staff as overseas representatives in four key posts: Washington DC, Brussels, New Delhi and Beijing.
Collaboration with China
Collaboration with China offers many benefits for Australia. In the last decade China has become one of the world’s leading science producers and one of Australia’s most important research partners. The new Australia-China Science and Research Fund was announced by the Science Ministers of Australia and China in April 2011.
Thirty years of Australia-China science and research collaboration are captured in 30 stories in the official commemorative book [PDF 5.03 MB] from the ‘Partners for a Better Future: Science Week’ at the Shanghai World Expo 2010.
Collaboration with India
Science and technology are particularly promising areas for increased collaboration between Australia and India. Together, Australia and India have laid the foundation for a productive, long term scientific and technology partnership through the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF).
Collaboration with the Americas
Collaborating on science and research with countries in the Americas is important for Australia. The Australian Government values its Government, researcher and institutional links with the science, technology and innovation systems in North and Latin America.
Many countries in the Americas share common research interests with Australia, as well as complementary science and technology policy goals.
Collaboration with the Asia-Pacific and Africa Regions
Collaboration within the Asia-Pacific and Africa regions is vitally important for Australia, and we actively support collaboration with the Asia-Pacific and Africa regions through a range of initiatives and funding programs. We have shared interests in a range of scientific and technological areas, including agriculture, biotechnology, marine science, renewable energy, climate change research, and information and communications technology.
Collaboration with Europe
Australia has strong scientific and technological relationships with a number of countries in Europe through a range of programs and funds. We have shared interests in a range of scientific and technological areas, including space sciences and astronomy, agriculture, materials science, biotechnology, renewable energy, climate change research, and information and communications technology.
Collaboration with multilateral and regional organisations
Australia collaborates with a number of multilateral and regional organisations including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).