Characteristics of Businesses in Selected Growth Sectors, Australia

Latest release

Business characteristics statistics summary for five growth sectors as collected by the 2013-14 Business Characteristics Survey (BCS)

Reference period
2013-14 financial year
Released
20/08/2015
Next release Unknown
First release

Main features

Introduction

The Industry and Innovation Competitiveness Agenda outlines sector-wide reform aimed at facilitating greater collaboration, research and development, boosting Australia’s competitiveness and productivity, and reducing red tape. As part of this, a number of sectors have been identified as having the potential to contribute to future economic growth. For the purposes of this release, these industry sectors are referred to as Growth Sectors.

These Growth Sectors are:

  • Advanced manufacturing;
  • Mining equipment, technology and services;
  • Oil, gas and energy resources;
  • Medical technologies and pharmaceuticals; and
  • Food and agribusiness.
     

To maximise the potential for growth within these sectors, as well as the broader economic benefits this will deliver, it is important that characteristics of the Growth Sectors are understood. Such understanding may guide policy formulation to facilitate growth by reducing barriers, and increasing opportunities for innovation and collaboration. To that end, the Department of Industry and Science (DIS) funded an additional sample in the 2013-14 Business Characteristics Survey (BCS) to collect a range of characteristics for businesses in these sectors. This information will provide a baseline understanding of the current status of businesses in these sectors and develop a means of measuring their performance in the future.

This release presents statistics on a selection of topics including nature of business ownership, collaborative arrangements, performance measures, barriers, innovation, business use of information technology, skills and markets.

Information about how the conceptual definition of each Growth Sector was mapped to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industry Classification (ANZSIC) system is provided in the Explanatory Notes of this publication and a full list of the ANZSIC classes included in each of the Growth Sectors is available to download as a data cube.

Structure of this release

There are two components to this release: web based information and data cubes. The web based information contains summary statistics and commentary on the following topics: foreign ownership, intellectual property methods, collaborative arrangements, income received from exporting goods and/or services, barriers to general business activities or performance and skills used in undertaking core business activities. Detailed statistics on these and further topics can be accessed via the data cubes.

Statistics for each of the Growth Sectors are presented separately in both the web based information and the data cubes and are cross classified by business size (based on employment) and innovator status as well as by ANZSIC class where possible.

For comparison purposes, in this publication, 2013-14 BCS All industries and selected BCS industry estimates by employment size and innovation status are presented alongside the 2013-14 Growth Sector estimates.

Previous release

Summary of IT Use and Innovation in Selected Growth Sectors (cat. no. 8166.0.80.001) was released on 18 June 2015. The release presented key indicators of internet commerce statistics (i.e. the placing and receiving of orders via the internet) and innovation in Australian businesses in the Growth Sectors as compiled from the 2013-14 BCS.

Data quality

Information about data quality is provided in the Quality Declaration and Explanatory Notes and must be taken into consideration when interpreting the statistics in this release.

Inquiries

For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070.

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Advanced manufacturing

The Advanced manufacturing Growth Sector includes any manufacturing process that takes advantage of high-technology or knowledge-intensive inputs as an integral part of its manufacturing process. It includes chemical and medicinal manufacturing, vehicle and transport manufacturing, professional and scientific equipment manufacturing, computer and electronic manufacturing and specialised machinery and equipment manufacturing.

For comparison purposes, estimates for the Advanced manufacturing Growth Sector are presented with the 2013-14 BCS Manufacturing and BCS All industries estimates.

Foreign ownership

Businesses were asked to indicate the proportion of foreign ownership of the business as at 30 June 2014.

Overall, 92% of businesses in Advanced manufacturing were wholly Australian owned.

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category
  2. The sum of component items within each output category may not equal 100% due to rounding and/or provision of multiple responses. Refer to Explanatory Note 28 and the Quality Declaration.

In this Growth Sector, businesses with 0-4 persons employed were more than twice as likely to be wholly Australian owned (96%) than businesses with 200 or more persons employed (38%).

Businesses with 200 or more persons employed were the most likely to report greater than 50% foreign ownership (57%), a higher proportion compared to the BCS All industries estimate (25%) for this employment size range.

Intellectual property protection methods

Businesses were asked what methods were in use to protect the business' intellectual property during the year ended 30 June 2014. Businesses were able to identify more than one type of intellectual property protection method.

Over a third of businesses (36%) in Advanced manufacturing used at least one method to protect intellectual property, compared to 29% of businesses in the BCS Manufacturing industry. The most common method used in this Growth Sector was copyright or trademark (19%).

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category.
  2. Businesses could identify more than one type of intellectual property protection method.
  3. Secrecy includes electronic protection methods.

The proportion of businesses that used each type of intellectual property protection method was higher in Advanced manufacturing compared to the BCS Manufacturing industry estimates across all protection methods. The largest differences were in complexity of product design (12% compared to 6%) and secrecy or confidentiality agreements (17% compared to 12%).

Collaborative arrangements

Businesses were asked if they were involved in collaborative arrangements with other businesses or organisations during the year ended 30 June 2014.

Businesses in Advanced manufacturing were more likely to report any collaborative arrangement (13%) than businesses in the BCS Manufacturing industry (8%).

Joint research and development and joint marketing or distribution (both 6%) were the most commonly reported collaborative arrangements by businesses in this Growth Sector.

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category.
  2. Integrated supply chain refers to ongoing coordinated activities between two or more businesses to maximise the storage and production efficiency of a mutual client.

A higher proportion of Advanced manufacturing businesses reported being involved in each type of collaborative arrangement compared to BCS Manufacturing industry estimates.

Income received from exporting goods and/or services

Businesses were asked to indicate whether or not they received income from directly exporting any goods and/or services during the year ended 30 June 2014.

In this Growth Sector 29% of businesses received income from directly exporting goods and/or services.

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category.
  2. See glossary for definition of innovation status.

Across all employment size ranges, innovation-active businesses were more likely to have received income from directly exporting goods and/or services compared to non innovation-active businesses.

Barriers to general business activities or performance

Businesses were asked if any factors significantly hampered the business in its general business activities or performance during the year ended 30 June 2014. A definition of what constitutes a significant level of hampering was not provided and businesses were not asked to rank factors in order of significance.

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category.
  2. Businesses could identify more than one barrier and were not asked to rank barriers in order of significance.
  3. Includes businesses that reported lack of skilled persons within the business and/or within the labour market.
  4. Examples of environmental factors include drought, insect plague and compliance with water restrictions.

The most commonly reported barrier to general business activities or performance by Advanced manufacturing business was lower profit margins to remain competitive (34%) followed by lack of customer demand for goods or services (27%).

The largest difference between Advanced manufacturing and BCS Manufacturing industry estimates was in government regulations and compliance, where a higher proportion of businesses in this Growth Sector reported this as a barrier to general business activities or performance (17% compared to 9%).

Skills used in undertaking core business activities

Businesses were asked to indicate the types of skills used in undertaking core business activities during the year ended 30 June 2014. The list of skills was limited to those shown in the graph; businesses were not required to list any other skills which they may have used. Businesses were able to identify more than one type of skill and were not required to rank the skills.

The most common skills used in Advanced manufacturing were engineering (49%) and trades (45%).

  1. Proportions are of businesses defined as being in the Advanced manufacturing Growth Sector.
  2. Businesses could identify more than one type of skill used for core business activities.
  3. Businesses were only required to select skills from those listed.

Compared to BCS Manufacturing industry estimates, Advanced manufacturing had a higher proportion of businesses using the following skills; engineering (49% compared to 30%), scientific and research (16% compared to 10%), IT support technicians (26% compared to 20%) and IT professionals (17% compared to 14%).

ANZSIC classes included in the advanced manufacturing growth sector

For the purposes of this survey, the Advanced manufacturing Growth Sector is defined as employing Australian businesses classified within the following ANZSIC Classes:

1811 Industrial gas manufacturing
1812 Basic organic chemical manufacturing
1813 Basic inorganic chemical manufacturing
1821 Synthetic resin and synthetic rubber manufacturing
1829 Other basic polymer manufacturing
1831 Fertiliser manufacturing
1832 Pesticide manufacturing
1841 Human pharmaceutical and medicinal product manufacturing
1842 Veterinary pharmaceutical and medicinal product manufacturing
1851 Cleaning compound manufacturing
1852 Cosmetic and toiletry preparation manufacturing
1891 Photographic chemical product manufacturing
1892 Explosive manufacturing
1899 Other basic chemical product manufacturing n.e.c.
2311 Motor vehicle manufacturing
2312 Motor vehicle body and trailer manufacturing
2313 Automotive electrical component manufacturing
2319 Other motor vehicle parts manufacturing
2391 Shipbuilding and repair services
2392 Boatbuilding and repair services
2393 Railway rolling stock manufacturing and repair services
2394 Aircraft manufacturing and repair services
2399 Other transport equipment manufacturing n.e.c.
2411 Photographic, optical and ophthalmic equipment manufacturing
2412 Medical and surgical equipment manufacturing
2419 Other professional and scientific equipment manufacturing
2421 Computer and electronic office equipment manufacturing
2422 Communication equipment manufacturing
2429 Other electronic equipment manufacturing
2431 Electric cable and wire manufacturing
2432 Electric lighting equipment manufacturing
2439 Other electrical equipment manufacturing
2441 Whiteware appliance manufacturing
2449 Other domestic appliance manufacturing
2451 Pump and compressor manufacturing
2452 Fixed space heating, cooling and ventilation equipment manufacturing
2461 Agricultural machinery and equipment manufacturing
2462 Mining and construction machinery manufacturing
2463 Machine tool parts and parts manufacturing
2469 Other specialised machinery and equipment manufacturing
2491 Lifting and material handling equipment manufacturing
2499 Other machinery and equipment manufacturing

Further statistics relating to Advanced manufacturing can be accessed via the Data downloads section.

Mining equipment, technology and services

Mining equipment, technology and services businesses are those that provide specialised support and solutions to the mining and minerals processing industry.

For comparison purposes, estimates for the Mining equipment, technology and services Growth Sector are presented with the 2013-14 BCS Mining, BCS Manufacturing and BCS All industries estimates.

Foreign ownership

Businesses were asked to indicate the proportion of foreign ownership of the business as at 30 June 2014.

Overall, 73% of businesses in Mining equipment, technology and services were wholly Australian owned.

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category.
  2. The sum of component items within each output category may not equal 100% due to rounding and/or provision of multiple responses. Refer to Explanatory Note 28 and the Quality Declaration.
  3. The Growth Sectors ANZSIC definition provided in this publication reflects an update from the original definition used in the Australian Industry Report (Department of Industry, 2014) ANZSIC classes included in the definition were refined based on analysis of results a survey of businesses, conducted by the ABS, and will be used in future analyses of the Growth Sectors.

Businesses in this Growth Sector were more likely to report greater than 50% foreign ownership compared to the BCS All industries estimate (13% compared to 3%).

Mining equipment, technology and services businesses with 0-4 persons employed were more likely to be wholly Australian owned (85%) compared to businesses in other employment size ranges.

Intellectual property protection methods

Businesses were asked what methods were in use to protect the business' intellectual property during the year ended 30 June 2014. Businesses were able to identify more than one type of intellectual property protection method.

In this Growth Sector 32% of businesses reported using at least one method to protect intellectual property.

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category
  2. Businesses could identify more than one type of intellectual property protection method.
  3. Secrecy includes electronic protection methods
  4. The Growth Sectors ANZSIC definition provided in this publication reflects an update from the original definition used in the Australian Industry Report (Department of Industry, 2014). ANZSIC classes included in the definition were refined based on analysis of results from a survey of businesses, conducted by the ABS, and will be used in future analyses of the Growth Sectors.

The most commonly reported intellectual property protection methods used in Mining equipment, technology and services were secrecy or confidentiality agreements (22%) and patents (11%).

Innovation-active businesses were almost twice as likely to use at least one method to protect intellectual property (43%) compared to non innovation-active businesses (22%) in this Growth Sector.

Collaborative arrangements

Businesses were asked if they were involved in collaborative arrangements with other businesses or organisations during the year ended 30 June 2014.

Overall, 14% of businesses in Mining equipment, technology and services reported being involved in any collaborative arrangement. This is higher than the BCS Manufacturing industry estimates (8%) and lower than the BCS Mining industry estimates (18%).

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category
  2. Integrated supply chain refers to ongoing coordinated activities between two or more businesses to maximise the storage and production efficiency of a mutual client.
  3. The Growth Sectors ANZSIC definition provided in this publication reflects an update from the original definition used in the Australian Industry Report (Department of Industry, 2014). ANZSIC classes included in the definition were refined based on analysis of results from a survey of businesses, conducted by the ABS, and will be used in future analyses of the Growth Sectors.

The most commonly reported collaborative arrangement in this Growth Sector was joint research and development (7%). Businesses in Mining equipment, technology and services were more likely to report this collaborative arrangement than businesses in both the BCS Mining (6%) and BCS Manufacturing (3%) industries.

Income received from exporting goods and/or services

Businesses were asked to indicate whether or not they received income from directly exporting any goods and/or services during the year ended 30 June 2014.

Overall, 14% of businesses in Mining equipment, technology and services reported that they received income from directly exporting any goods and/or services.

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category.
  2. See Glossary for definitions of innovation status.
  3. The Growth Sectors ANZSIC definition provided in this publication reflects an update from the original definition used in the Australian Industry Report (Department of Industry, 2014). ANZSIC classes included in the definition were refined based on analysis of results from a survey of businesses, conducted by the ABS, and will be used in future analyses of the Growth Sectors.

In this Growth Sector businesses with 200 or more persons employed were more than five times as likely to report that they received income from directly exporting any goods and/or services (42%) than businesses with 0-4 persons employed (8%).

Barriers to general business activities or performance

Businesses were asked if any factors significantly hampered the business in its general business activities or performance during the year ended 30 June 2014. A definition of what constitutes a significant level of hampering was not provided and businesses were not asked to rank factors in order of significance.

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category.
  2. Businesses could identify more than one barrier and were not asked to rank barriers in order of significance.
  3. Includes businesses that reported lack of skilled persons within the business and/or within the labour market.
  4. Examples of environmental factors include drought, insect plague and compliance with water restrictions.
  5. The Growth Sectors ANZSIC definition provided in this publication reflects an update from the original definition used in the Australian Industry Report (Department of Industry, 2014). ANZSIC classes included in the definition were refined based on analysis of results from a survey of businesses, conducted by the ABS, and will be used in future analyses of the Growth Sectors.

The most commonly reported barrier to general business activities or performance in Mining equipment, technology and services was lack of customer demand for goods or services (27%). A higher proportion of businesses reported this barrier compared to both the BCS Mining (22%) and BCS Manufacturing (24%) industries.

Skills used in undertaking core business activities

Businesses were asked to indicate the types of skills used in undertaking core business activities during the year ended 30 June 2014. The list of skills was limited to those shown in the graph; businesses were not required to list any other skills which they may have used. Businesses were able to identify more than one type of skill and were not required to rank the skills.

The most common skills used by businesses in Mining equipment, technology and services were engineering (48%), followed by financial (38%), transport, plant and machinery operations (36%) and trades (34%).

  1. Proportions are of businesses defined as being in the Mining equipment, technology and services Growth Sector.
  2. Businesses could identify more than one type of skill used for core business activities.
  3. Businesses were only required to select skills from those listed.
  4. The Growth Sectors ANZSIC definition provided in this publication reflects an update from the original definition used in the Australian Industry Report (Department of Industry, 2014). ANZSIC classes included in the definition were refined based on analysis of results from a survey of businesses, conducted by the ABS, and will be used in future analyses of the Growth Sectors.

Innovation-active businesses in this Growth Sector were more likely to make use of each of the different types of skill listed compared to non innovation-active businesses. For example, innovation-active businesses were twice as likely to use scientific and research skills compared to non innovation-active businesses (30% compared to 15%).

ANZSIC classes included in the mining equipment, technology and services growth sector

For the purposes of this survey, the Mining equipment, technology and services Growth Industry was defined as employing Australian businesses classified within the following ANZSIC Classes:

1012 Mineral exploration
1090 Other mining support services
2462 Mining and construction machinery manufacturing
2491 Lifting and material handling manufacturing

Further statistics relating to Mining equipment, technology and services can be accessed via the Data downloads section.

Oil, gas and energy resources

The Oil, gas and energy resources Growth Sector is comprised of products and services used in the exploration, extraction, processing, storage, and export of energy resources such as coal, oil and gas. The majority of firms are involved in exploration and/or extraction activities.

For comparison purposes, estimates for the Oil, gas and energy resources Growth Sector are presented with the 2013-14 BCS Mining, BCS Manufacturing and BCS All industries estimates.

Foreign ownership

Businesses were asked to indicate the proportion of foreign ownership of the business as at 30 June 2014.

Overall, 63% of businesses in Oil, gas and energy resources were wholly Australian owned.

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category.
  2. The sum of component items within each output category may not equal 100% due to rounding and/or provision of multiple responses. Refer to Explanatory Note 28 and the Quality Declaration.

Businesses in Oil, gas and energy resources were more likely to have greater than 50% foreign ownership (24%) compared to both the BCS Mining and BCS Manufacturing industries (17% and 4% respectively).

Innovation-active businesses in this Growth Sector were less likely to be wholly Australian owned (57%) compared to non innovation-active businesses (67%).

Intellectual property protection methods

Businesses were asked what methods were in use to protect the business' intellectual property during the year ended 30 June 2014. Businesses were able to identify more than one type of intellectual property protection method.

Overall, 34% of Oil, gas and energy resources businesses used at least one method to protect intellectual property, compared to 30% of businesses in the BCS Mining industry and 29% of businesses in the BCS Manufacturing industry.

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category.
  2. Businesses could identify more than one type of intellectual property protection method.
  3. Secrecy includes electronic protection methods.

The most common intellectual property protection method used by businesses in this Growth Sector was secrecy or confidentiality agreements (25%), a similar proportion of businesses in the BCS Mining industry reported using this method (24%).

Innovation-active businesses in this Growth Sector were more than twice as likely to have used at least one method to protect intellectual property (52%) compared to non innovation-active businesses (24%).

Collaborative arrangements

Businesses were asked if they were involved in collaborative arrangements with other businesses or organisations during the year ended 30 June 2014.

During the 2013-14 financial year, businesses in Oil, gas and energy resources were more likely to have been involved in any collaborative arrangement (31%) than business in the BCS Mining (18%) and BCS Manufacturing industries (8%).

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category.
  2. Integrated supply chain refers to ongoing coordinated activities between two or more businesses to maximise the storage and production efficiency of a mutual client.

The two most common collaborative arrangements that businesses in this Growth Sector were involved in were joint production of goods and services (18%) and joint research and development (14%).

The proportion of businesses involved in each type of collaborative arrangement in Oil, gas and energy resources was higher compared to the BCS Mining and BCS Manufacturing industry estimates across all arrangement types.

Income received from exporting goods and/or services

Businesses were asked to indicate whether or not they received income from directly exporting any goods and/or services during the year ended 30 June 2014.

Overall, 22% of Oil, gas and energy resources businesses received income from directly exporting any goods and/or services.

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category
  2. See Glossary for definition of innovation status.

In this Growth Sector, businesses with 200 or more persons employed were seven times more likely to have received income from directly exporting any goods and/or services (70%) compared to businesses with 0-4 persons employed (10%).

Across all employment size ranges, innovation-active businesses were more likely to have received income from directly exporting any goods and/or services compared to non innovation-active businesses.

Barriers to general business activities or performance

Businesses were asked if any factors significantly hampered the business in its general business activities or performance during the year ended 30 June 2014. A definition of what constitutes a significant level of hampering was not provided and businesses were not asked to rank factors in order of significance.

For businesses in Oil, gas and energy resources, the most commonly reported barriers to general business activities or performance were lack of customer demand for goods or services (19%) and lack of access to additional funds (18%).

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category.
  2. Businesses could identify more than one barrier and were not asked to rank barriers in order of significance.
  3. Includes businesses that reported lack of skilled persons within the business and/or within the labour market.
  4. Examples of environmental factors include drought, insect plague and compliance with water restrictions.

With the exception of government regulations and compliance and environmental factors, a lower proportion of Oil, gas and energy resources businesses reported each of the listed barriers, compared to both the BCS Mining and BCS Manufacturing industry estimates.

Across all of the listed barriers to general business activities or performance, innovation-active businesses were more likely to report each barrier compared to non innovation-active businesses.

Skills used in undertaking core business activities

Businesses were asked to indicate the types of skills used in undertaking core business activities during the year ended 30 June 2014. The list of skills was limited to those shown in the graph; businesses were not required to list any other skills which they may have used. Businesses were able to identify more than one type of skill and were not required to rank the skills.

Half of all businesses in Oil, gas and energy resources used engineering skills in the 2013-14 financial year (50%), a higher proportion compared to both the BCS Mining and BCS Manufacturing industries (41% and 30% respectively).

  1. Proportions are of businesses defined as being in the Oil, gas and energy Growth Sector.
  2. Businesses could identify more than one type of skill used for core business activities.
  3. Businesses were only required to select skills from those listed.

Engineering skills were more likely to be used by innovation-active businesses in this Growth Sector (69%), compared to non innovation-active businesses (38%).

ANZSIC classes included in the oil, gas and energy resources growth sector

For the purpose of this survey, the Oil, gas and energy resources Growth Sector is defined as employing Australian businesses classified within the following ANZSIC Classes:

0600 Coal mining
0700 Oil and gas extraction
1011 Petroleum exploration
1701 Petroleum refining and petroleum fuel manufacturing
1709 Other petroleum and coal product manufacturing
5021 Pipeline transport

Further statistics relating to Oil, gas and energy resources can be accessed via the Data downloads section.

Medical technologies and pharmaceuticals

Medical technologies and pharmaceuticals includes the research and development, production and wholesale of medical technologies, devices and pharmaceutical goods as well as related services.

For comparison purposes, estimates for the Medical technologies and pharmaceuticals Growth Sector are presented with the 2013-14 BCS Manufacturing and BCS All industries estimates.

Foreign ownership

Businesses were asked to indicate the proportion of foreign ownership of the business as at 30 June 2014.

Overall, 86% of businesses in Medical technologies and pharmaceuticals were wholly Australian owned, compared to 94% of businesses in the BCS Manufacturing industry.

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category.
  2. The sum of component items within each output category may not equal 100% due to rounding and/or provision of multiple responses. Refer to Explanatory Note 28 and the Quality Declaration.

Businesses with 0-4 persons employed were more than five times more likely to be wholly Australian owned (95%) compared to businesses with 200 or more persons employed (18%). Businesses with 200 or more persons employed were most likely to have greater than 50% foreign ownership (81%).

Intellectual property protection methods

Businesses were asked what methods were in use to protect the business' intellectual property during the year ended 30 June 2014. Businesses were able to identify more than one type of intellectual property protection method.

Businesses in Medical technologies and pharmaceuticals were more likely to use at least one method to protect intellectual property (44%) compared to businesses in the BCS Manufacturing industry (29%).

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category.
  2. Businesses could identify more than one type of intellectual property protection method.
  3. Secrecy includes electronic protection methods.

Across all types of intellectual property protection methods, a higher proportion of businesses in this Growth Sector used each type of method compared to the BCS Manufacturing industry.

Innovation-active businesses were more than twice as likely to have used at least one method to protect intellectual property (58%) compared to non innovation-active businesses (21%).

Collaborative arrangements

Businesses were asked if they were involved in collaborative arrangements with other businesses or organisations during the year ended 30 June 2014.

During the 2013-14 financial year, businesses in Medical technologies and pharmaceuticals were more likely to be involved in any collaborative arrangement (17%) than businesses in the BCS Manufacturing industry (8%).

The two most common collaborative arrangements for businesses in this Growth Sector were joint marketing or distribution (9%) and joint research and development (7%).

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category.
  2. Integrated supply chain refers to ongoing coordinated activities between two or more businesses to maximise the storage and production efficiency of a mutual client.

The proportion of businesses involved in each type of collaborative arrangement in Medical technologies and pharmaceuticals was higher compared to the BCS Manufacturing industry estimates across all of the different arrangement types.

Innovation-active businesses in this Growth Sector were more than six times more likely to have any collaborative arrangement than non innovation-active businesses (26% compared to 4%).

Income received from exporting goods and/or services

Businesses were asked to indicate whether or not they received income from directly exporting any goods and/or services during the year ended 30 June 2014.

Overall, 32% of Medical technologies and pharmaceuticals businesses received income from directly exporting any goods and/or services.

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category.
  2. See Glossary for definition of innovation status,

Businesses with 200 or more persons employed were more likely to have received income from directly exporting any goods and/or services (73%) compared to businesses with 0-4 persons employed (22%).

Innovation-active businesses in this Growth Sector were twice as likely to have received income from directly exporting any goods and/or services (40%) compared to non innovation-active businesses (20%).

Barriers to general business activities or performance

Businesses were asked if any factors significantly hampered the business in its general business activities or performance during the year ended 30 June 2014. A definition of what constitutes a significant level of hampering was not provided and businesses were not asked to rank factors in order of significance.

The most commonly reported barriers to general business activities or performance in Medical technologies and pharmaceuticals were lower profit margins to remain competitive (32%) and lack of customer demand for goods or services (22%).

  1. Proportion are of all businesses in each output category.
  2. Businesses could identify more than one barrier and were not asked to rank barriers in order of significance.
  3. Includes businesses that reported lack of skilled persons within the business and/or within the labour market.
  4. Examples of environmental factors include drought, insect plague and compliance with water restrictions.

Across all of the listed barriers to general business activities or performance, businesses in this Growth Sector were less likely to report each barrier compared to BCS Manufacturing industry estimates, with the exception of government regulations or compliance (17% compared to 9%) and outstanding accounts receivable limiting cash flow (14% compared to 13%).

Innovation-active businesses were more likely to report each of the listed barriers compared to non innovation-active businesses.

Skills used in undertaking core business activities

Businesses were asked to indicate the types of skills used in undertaking core business activities during the year ended 30 June 2014. The list of skills was limited to those shown in the graph; businesses were not required to list any other skills which they may have used. Businesses were able to identify more than one type of skill and were not required to rank the skills.

The most commonly used skill in undertaking core business activities in the Medical technologies and pharmaceuticals Growth Sector was marketing (41%). 

  1. Proportions are of businesses defined as being in the Medical technologies and pharmaceuticals Growth Sector.
  2. Businesses could identify more than one type of skill used for core business activities.
  3. Businesses were only required to select skills from those listed.

Compared to BCS Manufacturing industry estimates, this Growth Sector had a higher proportion of businesses using the following skills; scientific and research (20% compared to 10%), IT professionals (23% compared to 14%), IT support technicians (30% compared to 20%), marketing (41% compared to 22%), business management (32% compared to 29%) and financial (32% compared to 29%).

ANZSIC classes included in the medical technologies and pharmaceuticals growth sector

For the purposes of this survey, the Medical technologies and pharmaceuticals Growth Sector is defined as employing Australian businesses classified within the following ANZSIC Classes:

1841 Human pharmaceutical and medicinal product manufacturing
1842 Veterinary pharmaceutical and medicinal product manufacturing
2411 Photographic, optical and ophthalmic equipment manufacturing
2412 Medical and surgical equipment manufacturing
3491 Professional and scientific goods wholesaling
3720 Pharmaceutical and toiletry goods wholesaling

Further statistics relating to Medical technologies and pharmaceuticals can be accessed via the Data downloads section.

Food and agribusiness

The Food and agribusiness Growth Sector includes food-related production, food processing and the major inputs into these sectors, but not the wholesale or retail sale of these goods.

For comparison purposes, estimates for the Food and agribusiness Growth Sector are presented with the 2013-14 BCS Agriculture, forestry and fishing, BCS Manufacturing and BCS All industries estimates.

Foreign ownership

Businesses were asked to indicate the proportion of foreign ownership of the business as at 30 June 2014.

Overall, 99% of businesses in the Food and agribusiness Growth Sector were wholly Australian owned.

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category.
  2. The sum of component items within each output category may not equal 100% due to rounding and/or provision of multiple responses. Refer to Explanatory Note 28 and the Quality Declaration.
  3. The Growth Sectors ANZSIC definition provided in this publication reflects an update from the original definition used in the Australian Industry Report (Department of Industry, 2014). ANZSIC classes included in the definition were refined based on analysis of results from a survey of businesses, conducted by the ABS, and will be used in future analyses of the Growth Sectors.

Over a quarter (29%) of businesses with 200 or more person employed reported greater than 50% foreign ownership. This proportion is higher than businesses of the same employment size in the BCS Agriculture, forestry and fishing industry (6%) but lower than those in the BCS Manufacturing industry (51%).

Intellectual property protection methods

Businesses were asked what methods were in use to protect the business' intellectual property during the year ended 30 June 2014. Businesses were able to identify more than one type of intellectual property protection method.

In this Growth sector 10% of businesses used at least one method to protect intellectual property. The most commonly used method was copyright or trademark (6%).

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category.
  2. Businesses could identify more than one type of intellectual property protection method.
  3. Secrecy includes electronic protection methods.
  4. The Growth Sectors ANZSIC definition provided in this publication reflects an update from the original definition based in the Australian Industry Report (Department of Industry, 2014). ANZSIC classes included in the definition were refined based on analysis of results from a survey of businesses, conducted by the ABS, and will be used in future analyses of the Growth Sectors.

Across all of the different intellectual protection property methods, the proportion of businesses in Food and agribusiness that reported using each type was higher compared to BCS Agriculture, forestry and fishing industry estimates, but lower compared to BCS Manufacturing industry estimates.

Collaborative arrangements

Businesses were asked if they were involved in collaborative arrangements with other businesses or organisations during the year ended 30 June 2014.

Overall, 9% of businesses in Food and agribusiness reported being involved in any collaborative arrangement. The most commonly reported arrangement was joint marketing or distribution (4%).

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category.
  2. Integrated supply chain refers to ongoing coordinated activities between two or more businesses to maximise the storage and production efficiency of a mutual client.
  3. The Growth Sectors ANZSIC definition provided in this publication reflects an update from the original definition used in the Australian Industry Report (Department of Industry, 2014). ANZSIC classes included in the definition were refined based on analysis of results from a survey of businesses, conducted by the ABS, and will be used in future analyses of the Growth Sectors.

Businesses with 200 or more persons employed were more likely to be involved in any collaborative arrangement (45%) compared to businesses with 0-4 persons employed (8%).

Income received from exporting goods and/or services

Businesses were asked to indicate whether or not they received income from directly exporting any goods and/or services during the year ended 30 June 2014.

In this Growth Sector, 9% of businesses reported that they received income from directly exporting goods and/or services. This was higher compared to BCS Agriculture, forestry and fishing industry estimates (7%) and lower compared to BCS Manufacturing industry estimates (21%). 

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category.
  2. See Glossary for definition of innovation status.
  3. The Growth Sectors ANZSIC definition provided in this publication reflects an update from the original definition used in the Australian Industry Report (Department of Industry, 2014). ANZSIC classes included in the definition were refined based on analysis of results from a survey of businesses, conducted by the ABS, and will be used in future analyses of the Growth Sectors.

Businesses in this Growth Sector with more than 200 persons employed were over eleven times more likely to report that they received income from directly exporting goods and/or services (79%) compared to businesses with 0-4 persons employed (7%).

Barriers to general business activities or performance

Businesses were asked if any factors significantly hampered the business in its general business activities or performance during the year ended 30 June 2014. A definition of what constitutes a significant level of hampering was not provided and businesses were not asked to rank factors in order of significance.

The most commonly reported barrier to general business activities or performance in Food and agribusiness was cost of inputs (36%), which was higher compared to BCS Agriculture, forestry and fishing and BCS Manufacturing industry estimates (34% and 18% respectively).

  1. Proportions are of all businesses in each output category.
  2. Businesses could identify more than one barrier and were not asked to rank barriers in order of significance.
  3. Includes businesses that reported lack of skilled persons within the business and/or within the labour market.
  4. Examples of environmental factors include drought, insect plague and compliance with water restrictions.
  5. The Growth Sectors ANZSIC definition provided in this publication reflects an update from the original definition used in the Australian Industry Report (Department of Industry, 2014). ANZSIC classes included in the definition were refined based on analysis of results from a survey of businesses, conducted by the ABS, and will be used in future analyses of the Growth Sectors.

Businesses in this Growth Sector were also more likely to report government regulations and compliance (19%) as a barrier to general business activities or performance compared to BCS Agriculture, forestry and fishing and BCS Manufacturing industry estimates (16% and 9% respectively).

Skills used in undertaking core business activities

Businesses were asked to indicate the types of skills used in undertaking core business activities during the year ended 30 June 2014. The list of skills was limited to those shown in the graph; businesses were not required to list any other skills which they may have used. Businesses were able to identify more than one type of skill and were not required to rank the skills.

The most common skill used by businesses in this Growth Sector were transport, plant and machinery operation (47%), followed by financial (36%) and trades (31%).

  1. Proportions are of businesses defined as being in the Mining equipment, technology and services Growth Sector.
  2. Businesses could identify more than one type of skill used for core business activities.
  3. Businesses were only required to select skills from those listed.
  4. The Growth Sectors ANZSIC definition provided in this publication reflects an update from the original definition used in the Australian Industry Report (Department of Industry, 2014). ANZSIC classes included in the definition were refined based on analysis of results from a survey of businesses, conducted by the ABS, and will be used in future analyses of the Growth Sectors.

ANZSIC classes included in the food and agribusiness growth sector

For the purpose of this survey, the Food and agribusiness Growth Sector is defined as employing Australian businesses classified within the following ANZSIC Classes:

0121 Mushroom growing
0122 Vegetable growing (under cover)
0123 Vegetable growing (outdoors)
0131 Grape growing
0132 Kiwifruit growing
0133 Berry fruit growing
0134 Apple and pear growing
0135 Stone fruit growing
0136 Citrus fruit growing
0137 Olive growing
0139 Other fruit and tree nut growing
0141 Sheep farming (specialised)
0142 Beef cattle farming (specialised)
0143 Beef cattle feedlots (specialised)
0144 Sheep-beef cattle farming
0145 Grain-sheep or grain-beef cattle farming
0146 Rice growing
0149 Other grain growing
0151 Sugar cane growing
0159 Other crop growing n.e.c.
0160 Dairy cattle farming
0171 Poultry farming (meat)
0172 Poultry farming (eggs)
0180 Deer farming
0192 Pig farming
0193 Beekeeping
0199 Other livestock farming n.e.c.
0201 Offshore longline and rack aquaculture
0202 Offshore caged aquaculture
0203 Onshore aquaculture
0411 Rock lobster and crab potting
0412 Prawn fishing
0413 Line fishing
0414 Fish trawling, seining and netting
0419 Other fishing
0529 Other agriculture and fishing support services
1111 Meat processing
1112 Poultry processing
1113 Cured meat and smallgoods manufacturing
1120 Seafood processing
1131 Milk and cream processing
1132 Ice cream manufacturing
1133 Cheese and other dairy product manufacturing
1140 Fruit and vegetable processing
1150 Oil and fat manufacturing
1161 Grain mill product manufacturing
1162 Cereal, pasta and baking mix manufacturing
1171 Bread manufacturing (factory based)
1172 Cake and pastry manufacturing (factory based)
1173 Biscuit manufacturing (factory based)
1174 Bakery product manufacturing (non-factory based)
1181 Sugar manufacturing
1182 Confectionary manufacturing
1191 Potato, corn and other crisp manufacturing
1192 Prepared animal and bird feed manufacturing
1199 Other food product manufacturing n.e.c.
1211 Soft drink, cordial and syrup manufacturing
1212 Beer manufacturing
1213 Spirit manufacturing
1214 Wine and other alcoholic beverage manufacturing
2461 Agricultural machinery and equipment manufacturing
6620 Farm animal and bloodstock leasing

Further statistics relating to Food and agribusiness can be accessed via the Data downloads section.

Data downloads

Selected characteristics of businesses in advanced manufacturing, by innovation status, by employment size, 2013-14

Selected characteristics of businesses in mining equipment, technology and services, by innovation status, by employment size, 2013-14

Selected characteristics of businesses in oil, gas and energy resources, by innovation status, by employment size, 2013-14

Selected characteristics of businesses in medical technologies and pharmaceuticals, by innovation status, by employment size, 2013-14

Selected characteristics of businesses in food and agribusiness, by innovation status, by employment size, 2013-14

Selected characteristics of businesses in advanced manufacturing, by ANZSIC class, 2013-14

Selected characteristics of businesses in mining equipment technology and services, by ANZSIC class, 2013-14

Selected characteristics of businesses in oil, gas and energy resources, by ANZSIC class, 2013-14

Selected characteristics of businesses in medical technologies and pharmaceuticals, by ANZSIC class, 2013-14

Selected characteristics of businesses in food and agribusiness, by ANZSIC class, 2013-14

List of ANZSIC classes included in each of the five growth sectors

All data cubes

Previous catalogue number

This release previously used catalogue number 8170.0.
 

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