Australia’s Innovation Action
Plan – Self-Assessment Report
June 2010
Barry Jones
Industry and Small Business Policy
Division
Background
 New Government in 2007
 Reviews -
– National Innovation System
– Automotive and TCF Sectors
– Export Programs
 New policies and programs
 Powering Ideas: an innovation agenda for
the 21st century
Some major initiatives
 Cooperative Research Centres
 Enterprise Connect
 Commercialisation Australia
 Small Business Initiatives
 Consultation mechanisms
 Regulatory framework
Cooperative Research Centres
 Established in 1991
 Links researchers with industry to focus R&D efforts
on progress towards utilisation and
commercialisation.
 Each CRC must involve at least one Australian enduser and one Australian higher education institution.
 Flexible governance arrangements
 An education program produces industry-ready
graduates
 Innovative structures to encourage SME
engagement
Cooperative Research Centres
 From 1 July 2010:
– 42 active CRCs
– 725 participating organisations – 61% industrybased
– 36 Australian universities
 In 2008-09:
– 88 patents filed
– 673 patents maintained (492 overseas)
– 377 international alliances
– Links with 56 nations including 18 APEC
economies
Enterprise Connect
 Established in 2008
 Delivers practical support to SMEs through 12
Centres and ~90 Business Advisers in:
– Manufacturing or manufacturing services
– Creative industries
– Clean energy
– Defence industries
– Mining technology
– Remote enterprise
– Innovative regions
Enterprise Connect
Enterprise Connect services
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Business Advisers and Regional Facilitators
Group and Individual Business Reviews
Tailored Advisory Service
Researchers in Business
Workshops, Industry Intelligence and Networking
Innovation Centre Complementary Services
Technology and Knowledge Connect
Enterprise Learning and Mentoring (part of TAS
funds)
Enterprise Connect – Business Reviews
 For individual businesses or business groups
 Reviews are carried out by Business Advisers who
look at:
– Strengths and weaknesses
– Strategic issues
– Potential areas for business improvement and
growth
 Tailored Advisory Service Grants to help implement
changes suggested in the Business Reviews
Enterprise Connect - Researchers in
Business
 Supports the placement of researchers into
businesses to develop new ideas with commercial
potential
 2 to 12 month placement
 Funds up to 50% of salary costs to a maximum of
$A50,000
 A project must:
– develop a new idea
– involve new activities
– create new competencies and capabilities aligned
with existing business strategies
Commercialisation Australia
 Commenced January 2010
 $196.1 million over four years with ongoing funding of
$82 million per annum
 Objective is to build the capacity of, and opportunities
for, Australia’s researchers, entrepreneurs and
innovative firms to convert ideas into commercial
ventures
 A new and radical approach
 Developed through a consultation process
Commercialisation Australia - key features
 Assists researchers, entrepreneurs and innovative firms to bring
ideas for new products to market with high commercial potential
 Multiple entry and exit points to the program
 Competitive, merit based selection process
 Case Managers
 Volunteer Business Mentors
 Assistance tailored to the needs of the participant:
– Skills and Knowledge Grants
– Experienced Executives
– Proof of Concept Grants
– Early Stage Commercialisation Repayable Grants
Small Business Online Program
 Launched on 17 August 2009
 Aims to help small businesses to go online, enhance
their web presence and engage in
e-business capabilities
 Competitive, merit-based application process
 Training and mentoring services delivered to small and
home-based businesses through eligible service
providers
 By March 2010 funding of $14.3 million had been
awarded
Consultation Mechanisms
Small Business Forum
 Key consultative mechanism
 Generally held twice a year and hosted by the
Small Business Minister
Business Consultation Website
 Australian Government agencies post information
on current consultation activities
 Businesses/individuals register to receive
information on consultations it their areas of interest
Strong regulatory environment
Small Business Advisory Committee
 Assist in determining the impact of policy
proposals on small business
Regulation Impact Statements
 Mandatory for all decisions likely to have a
regulatory impact on business
Small Business Impact Statements
 Assessment of the impact of policy proposals on
small business
Some conclusions
 A range of policy options are needed
 One-size fits all is not appropriate
 Targeted measures depending on the
needs of the SME
 Options that feed into each other
 Benefits beyond innovation
Further Information
Powering Ideas

http://www.innovation.gov.au/innovationreview/Pages/home.aspx
Cooperative Research Centres
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https://www.crc.gov.au/Information/default.aspx
Enterprise Connect

http://www.enterpriseconnect.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
Commercialisation Australia

http://www.commercialisationaustralia.gov.au/Pages/Home.aspx
Small Business Initiatives

www.ausindustry.gov.au/SmallBusiness/SmallBusinessOnline/Pages/S
mallBusinessOnline.aspx
Business Consultation Website

https://consultation.business.gov.au/consultation/
Department of Innovation, Industry,
Science and Research
Industry House
10 Binara Street
Canberra City, ACT 2601, Australia
Telephone +61 2 6213 6000