8104.0 - Research and Experimental Development, Businesses, Australia, 1997-98  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 04/06/1999   
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  • Research and Experimental Development, Businesses, Australia (Media Release)

MEDIA RELEASE

June4, 1999
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
64/99
Research and Experimental Development, Businesses, Australia

For the second consecutive year, research and development (R&D) undertaken by Australian businesses decreased, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Estimates of business expenditure on research and development (BERD) in 1997-98 were down 4% in current price terms compared with 1996-97 and 7% compared with 1995-96. The amount of human resource effort expended on R&D fell by 8%.

Prior to the falls of the last two years, BERD had been increasing strongly through the 1990s, with average annual rates of growth between 1991-92 and 1995-96 of 16% in current prices and 14% in volume terms.

As a result of the falls, BERD as a proportion of Australia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) decreased from a high of 0.86% in 1995-96 to 0.72% in 1997-98. Over this period, most other OECD countries increased their BERD/GDP ratios.

The decrease in R&D is mainly attributable to mining and manufacturing industries. The mining industry recorded a 24% decrease in expenditure, following a 4% increase the previous year. Manufacturing industry recorded a 5% fall.

While R&D expenditure fell in most States, expenditure in South Australia increased by 19%.

Full details are in Research and Experimental Development, Businesses, Australia, 1997-98 (cat. no. 8104.0), which is available in ABS Bookshops. Main features from the publication are available from this site.