8104.0 - Research and Experimental Development, Businesses, Australia, 2001-02  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 07/08/2003   
   Page tools: Print Print Page Print all pages in this productPrint All

EXPENDITURE ON R&D

In 2001-02, Business Expenditure on R&D (BERD) was estimated to be $5,546m at current prices, 13% higher than that recorded in 2000-01. This is the highest level recorded and is the second successive year of significant increase following the declines from 1995-96 to 1998-99 and the levelling off between 1998-99 and 1999-2000.

In volume terms, with the effect of changes in prices and wages and salaries removed, R&D expenditure increased by 8% compared with 2000-01. The 2001-02 expenditure in volume terms is 4% above the previous peak level of 1995-96.

EXPENDITURE ON R&D
Graph - Expenditure on R&D



The Mining industry recorded a 16% increase in R&D expenditure while expenditure by the Manufacturing industry increased by 10%. The Wholesale and retail trade, the Property and business services and the Scientific research industries recorded increases of 14%, 21% and 27% respectively while the Finance and insurance industry recorded a decrease of 19%.

The change in BERD between 2000-01 and 2001-02 resulted from:
  • Approximately 2,800 businesses which undertook expenditure in both years, incurring $4,527m of R&D expenditure in 2000-01 and $4,940m in 2001-02, an increase of 9%. Not all businesses increased their expenditure in 2001-02; 45% of continuing R&D performers recorded increases in expenditure of 10% or more, while 33% recorded decreases of 10% or more.
  • Approximately 800 businesses which recorded $391m of R&D expenditure in 2000-01, not reporting any R&D in 2001-02.
  • Approximately 1,000 businesses which did not report R&D expenditure in 2000-01, recording $606m in 2001-02.


HUMAN RESOURCES DEVOTED TO R&D

Human resources devoted to R&D in 2001-02 totaled 30,389 person years, 7% higher than in 2000-01.

RESOURCES DEVOTED TO R&D

1995-96
1996-97
1997-98
1998-99
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
Expenditure

At current prices ($m)
4,356.6
4,234.7
r4,221.1
r4,094.7
r4,112.4
r4,917.4
5,545.5
Chain volume measures (a) ($m)
5,109.6
4,829.6
4,718.0
4,474.2
4,349.7
4,917.4
5,329.6
Human resources (person years)
27,123
26,412
r24,769
r25,109
r26,507
r28,295
30,389

r revised
(a) Reference year for chain volume measures is 2000-01. See paragraph 20 of the Explanatory Notes.