8104.0 - Research and Experimental Development, Businesses, Australia, 2003-04  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 28/09/2005   
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MEDIA RELEASE

September 28, 2005
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
107/2005


Business spending on R&D increases for fourth successive year

    Business expenditure on research and experimental development (R&D) increased by 10% between 2002-03 and 2003-04, to $7.22 billion.

    With the effect of changes in prices, wages and salaries removed (ie chain volume measures), business expenditure on R&D increased by 7% in 2003-04, the fourth successive year of increases.

    As a percentage of Gross Domestic Product, business expenditure on R&D was 0.89%, higher than the 0.87% recorded in both 2002-03 and 2001-02.

    Businesses in the manufacturing and the property and business services industries were the largest contributors to total R&D expenditure, with 46% and 23% of the total estimate respectively.

    Businesses with fewer than 50 employees contributed 26% of the total estimate, while businesses with greater than 1,000 employees contributed 35%.

    R&D expenditure was highest in New South Wales ($2,716m), followed by Victoria ($2,072m). Expenditure in these states contributed 38% and 29% of the total estimate respectively. South Australia had the highest level of expenditure as a percentage of Gross State Product at 1.07%, followed by Victoria with 1.0%.

    Information on biotechnology related R&D was collected in 2003-04. There were 304 businesses who performed biotechnology related R&D, or paid another to perform it on their behalf. Total expenditure on biotechnology related R&D was $377.8m.

    Property and business services was the largest industry involved in biotechnology related R&D, contributing 71%.

    Further information is in Research and Experimental Development, Businesses, Australia, 2003-04 (cat. no. 8104.0).