Survey of Research and Experimental Development, Government and Private Non-Profit Organisations

This survey collects information on expenditure and human resources devoted to Research and Experimental Development (R&D) carried out by organisations in Australia.

Data to be reported includes:

• Number of persons working for this organisation during the last pay period ending in June 2027 
• R&D activities carried out by this organisation during the year ended 30 June 2027 or the equivalent financial period 
• Human resources devoted to R&D 
• Type of R&D expenditure 
• Location of R&D expenditure 
• Source of R&D funds 
• Type of R&D activity 
• Classification of R&D by Fields of Research (FoR) Divisions 
• Classification of R&D by Socio-Economic Objectives (SEO) Divisions

Most organisations selected are known performers of R&D from a previous survey. In some cases, the organisation has been selected because it has been identified as a likely R&D performer, having been a recipient of an R&D grant in recent years.

This information is used by government and advisers to government, international organisations, businesses, economists and others. The information is used for purposes such as policy formulation, allocation of funds and the determination of priorities for research and development.

These statistics are drawn upon by a wide variety of individuals and organisations in both the public and private sectors, with major users including:

• The ABS' National Accounts
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
• State and Commonwealth Government departments and agencies 
• Industry organisations and associations 
• Academics
• Market analysts and economists

Yes. Under the Census and Statistics Act 1905 you are obliged to provide the information requested by the ABS. All the information you provide will remain strictly confidential.

By completing this survey, you help to ensure the results truly reflect the current levels of R&D activity in Australia.

You can use the final comment box at the end of the survey form to provide extra information about circumstances impacting your R&D activity. You can also use this box to tell us about your current situation or organisation conditions and your expectations for the coming years, as well as any further comments on information you have provided in the survey.

We are here to help. We will contact you if your survey participation is delayed, and we will help you if you are having difficulties.

Organisations are selected to participate in the Research and Experimental Development Survey based on their R&D activity. You are likely to be selected to participate in the survey every two years if your R&D activity is continuing.

Yes. The industry, business and government users of the statistics produced from this survey need the most accurate and timely information possible so they can make well-informed decisions which impact Australian organisations and communities. Please note that careful estimates are acceptable where actual data is not available.

Yes. We take the security of the information you provide to us very seriously. Your completed form and personal information will remain strictly confidential to the ABS. We use the information you provide to calculate statistics, which are released in ways that do not allow for the identification of businesses or organisations. The information in this survey is collected under the authority of the Census and Statistics Act 1905. Under the Act, ABS staff are obliged to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of information provided. 

We comply with the Australian Privacy Principles. If you believe we have breached these principles, please see the information on how to lodge a complaint about privacy matters, contained within our privacy policy.

No. There is no provision within the Census and Statistics Act 1905 to reimburse individuals, businesses or organisations for the cost of providing statistical information. In line with other national statistical organisations throughout the world, individuals, businesses and other organisations are asked to supply information for statistical purposes without compensation. It is only with the support of people like you that we can continue to produce the statistics that inform Australia's important decisions.

If you have received a reminder letter or email about completing the Research and Experimental Development Survey it is likely that you have returned the survey at the same time that we issued the reminder notice. If you wish to confirm this, please call us on 1800 642 149 and we will check the information against our records.

We require information to be as accurate as possible. The more accurate the figures you supply, the more accurate the statistics will be. However, if accurate data is not readily available, careful estimates will be accepted.

Yes. We provide statistics free of charge on our website. Statistics produced from this survey are published in Research and Experimental Development, Government and Private Non-Profit Organisations.

For this survey, you should have received a letter with a Form Access Code to access your survey form online. Set up, or log in to your secure ABS Survey Account and add your Form Access Code to access the survey form.

For more information on completing our surveys online, help is available on our Online survey self-help page. This page provides assistance with technical difficulties and includes frequently asked questions which assist in creating and using the ABS Survey Account.

If you have a question or would like to provide feedback, you can get in touch with us via the General enquiry form.

If you would like assistance regarding your survey submission, please call 1800 642 149 between 9:00 am and 7:00 pm AEST (excluding Public Holidays).