National ICT Australia (NICTA) Fact Sheet 

KEY POINTS

• National ICT Australia (NICTA) is a national centre of research excellence funded jointly by the Federal Budget, Australian Research Council (ARC) and the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE).
• NICTA’s purpose is to ensure Australia participates in key emerging information and communications technologies (ICT).  Its goals are to:
• develop world-class ICT research capabilities in existing and emerging fields within Australia
• increase the availability within Australia of world-class ICT research capacity by providing postgraduate training and attracting ICT researchers from overseas
• exploit the commercial potential of its research outcomes for the national benefit
• act as a catalyst for the development of networks and clusters of ICT industry activity: and
• be well recognised for its achievements both domestically and internationally.
• NICTA is a not-for-profit independent company, limited by guarantee.  Its four founding members are the ACT Government, the NSW State Government, The Australian National University and The University of New South Wales.
• In addition to its founding members, NICTA has seven partners: Griffith University; the Queensland State Government; Queensland University of Technology; The University of Melbourne; The University of Queensland; The University of Sydney; and the Victorian State Government.
• NICTA has over 400 staff including researchers, researchers seconded from Universities and support staff (engineers, programmers and assistants).
• In 2009, 234 students received financial support from NICTA for their studies. As at 31 September 2009 a total of 137 PhD and 16 masters students have graduated from universities through NICTA-run programs since its inception. 
• NICTA’s commercialisation activities include: entering into technology licensing arrangements; and initiating joint research projects.  NICTA has generated five spin-off companies to date. 

FACTS AND FIGURES

• The Australian Government investment under the current and previous funding agreements totals $379 million, covering the period 2002-2011. Following the May 2009 Budget, NICTA will now receive an additional $185.5 million for the period 2011-2015, taking the total Australian Government commitment to $564.5 million.
• Funding is being reduced by five per cent cumulative per annum from 2011-12 through to 2014-15 in recognition of NICTA's more mature stage of development and its increasing ability to attract funding from other sources, including commercial revenue.