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WHAT'S NEW
ICT Industries Survey (ICTIS):
A number of improvements have been made to the survey for 2006–07, including the introduction of ANZSIC 2006; extension of the survey to include non-employers; and the collection of a state and territory split of income from the sale of goods and services.
Due to the recent departmental budget cuts, the proposed ICTIS for the 2008–09 reference year will not be conducted. Instead the ABS will be investigating options for collating data on the nature and performance of the ICT industries by means other than direct collection.
Internet Activity:
The Internet Activity Survey (IAS) collects details on aspects of internet access services, provided by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Australia.
The survey is undertaken every six (6) months, for the June and December quarters. Data are collected from Australian ISPs who supply internet connectivity and access services to individuals, households, businesses, government and other organisations. Libraries, internet kiosks, internet cafes and hot-spots which provide internet access on a casual basis, are excluded from the scope of the collection.
Currently, connections to the Internet via mobile telephones are excluded from the scope of this survey. However, mobile wireless subscriptions to the Internet via a datacard or USB modem are included.
Farm Use of the Internet (FUIT):
FUIT provides statistics on farm use of the Internet on a regional basis. The latest data are sourced from the 2007-08 Agricultural Resources Management Survey which included a supplementary question on farm use of the Internet.
The name of this release has changed from 'Use of Information Technology on Farms, Australia' to 'Use of the Internet on Farms, Australia', as computer use is no longer collected. The next set of results are expected to be released 31 August 2009.
Research and Experimental Development Statistics:
The Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC) 2008 was released on 31st March 2008. The ANZSRC was developed to meet the dual needs for a comprehensive description of today's research environment, as well as the ability to compare R&D statistics internationally. The ABS will start using ANZSRC in its surveys of research and experimental development with the first data collected using the new classification to be published in mid-2009.
The ABS is in the process of considering the statistical issues associated with the capitalisation of R&D in the Australian National Accounts (ANA). It is expected that the revised System of National Accounts (SNA), due for release in 2008, will include a comprehensive discussion of the concepts and practicalities involved in the adoption of this new treatment. The main data source feeding into the ANA for R&D capitalisation is the ABS' R&D surveys. The ABS is confident in overcoming the many measurement challenges involved in capitalising R&D and aims to be the first statistical organisation in the world to move to this changed treatment.
Household Use of Information Technology (HUIT):
The next issue of the publication, the 2007–08 reference period, is expected to be released in mid-December 2008, however, the new HUIT will be impacted by the recent departmental budget cuts. Some data will still be produced for HUIT as much had already been collected, however only summary results for the 2007–08 reference period will initially be released.
The ABS plans to publish detailed results for the 2008–09 reference period in late 2009, but the tight budgetary situation has also resulted in a reduction in the frequence of the HUIT collection from annual to biennial. Accordingly no HUIT data will be collected for the 2009–10 reference period.
Integrated Business Characteristics Strategy (IBCS):
The IBCS integrates the collection and quality assurance of data required for input into the Business Longitudinal Database (BLD) and the production of point in time estimates for Business Use of Information Technology (BUIT); business innovation in Australia; and a broad range of other non-financial business characteristics. The annual Business Characteristics Survey (BCS) is the survey vehicle which achieves this.
A key part of the IBCS is the production of annual BUIT and business Innovation indicators, with a more detailed set of items for each of these topics collected every second year i.e. alternating years. Previously, these IT and innovation indicators were produced from the separate annual IT and biennial Innovation surveys, respectively.
Business Longitudinal Database (BLD):
A key aspect of the IBCS is the collection of statistics to populate the BLD. These directly collected data, along with a range of financial information from administrative sources such as the Business Activity Statement (BAS) will be used to create the BLD. The scope of the BLD is restricted to small and medium businesses.
The ABS has determined that the main outputs from the BLD will be a range of Confidentialised Unit Record Files (CURFs). The first of these is currently in development and is expected to be released by mid 2009.
Further information on any of the above can be found in Innovation and Technology Update (cat. no. 8101.0).
Releases to watch out for:
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This page first published 19 May 2006, last updated 18 February 2010 |
