4. INNOVATION STATISTICS

4.1 Recently Released Innovation Statistics
4.2 Forthcoming ABS Publications on Innovation
4.3 Innovation Technical Reference Group (TRG)
4.4 Some useful Non-ABS websites on Innovation Statistics

4.1 RECENTLY RELEASED INNOVATION STATISTICS

First results from the 2005 Innovation survey were released on 7 December 2006 in the ABS publication Innovation in Australian Business, 2005 (cat. no. 8158.0). The first release included a summary publication with basic results for all topics and data cubes for key indicators (state by industry, state by employment size and industry by employment size) and summary financial indicators. Detailed data (including some cross-classified industry, state and employment outputs) for all topics will be released over the next two months. The expected schedule is:

19 January 2007 - Detailed data for Skills and capabilities sought; Collaboration; Source of Funds and Barriers.

16 February 2007 - Detailed data for Drivers; Source of ideas; Methods for acquiring knowledge; and Intellectual property protection. Internationally comparative data for Australia, New Zealand and the European Union.

For further information about the 2005 Innovation survey outputs, contact Peter Hodgson, Innovation and Technology Business Statistics Centre, ABS on (08) 9360 5367.

4.2 FORTHCOMING ABS PUBLICATIONS ON INNOVATION

The Innovation in Australian Business (IABS), 2003, Expanded Confidentialised Unit Record File, 8158.0.55.01 is expected to be released in early 2007.

The Confidentialised Unit Record File from the 2003 Innovation Survey will contain unidentified individual statistical records with information about Australian businesses that innovated during the three years ended December 2003. The 2003 IABS CURF will be available via the Remote Access Data Laboratory (RADL) as an Expanded File ONLY. Detailed information about the contents of the IABS 2003 CURF will be available on the ABS website in the IABS 2003 Technical Paper (cat. no. 8158.0.55.002).

4.3 INNOVATION TECHNICAL REFERENCE GROUP (TRG)

The Innovation Technical Reference Group, set up to provide advice to the ABS on innovation data collection issues, met in the ABS on 17 August 2006. Members from the following key stakeholder organisations participated in the meeting: Department of Communication, Information Technology and Arts, CSIRO, DITR, Productivity Commission, DEST and the Ministry of Treasury.

Key issues discussed in the meeting include:

• Some new strategies in the publication of the 2005 innovation survey results. (The results from this survey are now available in the ABS publication: Innovation in Australian Business, 2005 (ABS Cat. No. 8158.0)).
• An update on the progress of collaborations between the ABS and the DITR and University of South Australia on the analysis of 2003 innovation survey microdata.
• An update on the Integrated Business Characteristics Strategy. The 2005-06 survey had an ICT focus while the 2006-07 will focus on innovation.
• An analytical model proposed by the Statistical Working group for the Industrial statistics Committee (SWIC) for the international comparison of innovation data.
• Recent innovation data collection initiatives at state/territory levels, especially in Tasmania.

4.4 SOME USEFUL NON-ABS WEBSITES ON INNOVATION STATISTICS

Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources (DITR)
http://www.industry.gov.au

Department of Education, Science and Technology (DEST)
http://www.dest.gov.au

Productivity Commission (PC)
http://www.pc.gov.au

Backing Australia's ability website
http://backingaus.innovation.gov.au

Biotechnology Australia
http://www.biotechnology.gov.au