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 Australia boasts a sophisticated information and communications technology industry with an annual turnover of around $65 billion.
Already established as a world leader in the provision of technology solutions for government, e-learning and IT services, Australia is now emerging as a dominant global player in areas such as wireless communications and intelligent transport systems.
Australia is the 11th largest ICT market in the world and the fifth largest ICT market in the Asia-Pacific region after Japan, China, India and Korea.
ICT is an important driver of productivity and innovation and a driving force of Australia’s economy. According to the Australian Information Industry Association, ICT contributed 4.6 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product in 2005-06.
Around 348,200 people were employed in ICT firms in 2005-06, with the majority (47 per cent) employed as computing professionals (ie. system managers, designers, programmers and auditors, software designers, and applications and analyst programmers).
The rest are made up of electronic engineers and communication technicians, while a further 500,000 are employed indirectly by the industry and in support roles.
ICT workers can be found in a range of industries including property and business services, communication services, government administration and defence.
Exports
In 2005-06, ICT exports from Australia were worth at least $5.4 billion. Of that amount, ICT equipment exports accounted for $3.2 billion, while exports of ICT services were worth $2.2 billion.
New Zealand and the US are the largest markets for Australia’s ICT equipment exports, but other major markets include Germany, China, Singapore, the UK, India, Korea and Taiwan.
Major markets for Australia’s ICT services exports include the US, the UK, Hong Kong, Japan, China, the Netherlands, France, Singapore and Germany.
Key areas of expertise
- E-commerce
- Systems integration
- E-health
- Electronic games
- E-security and security consulting
- Web services
- Corporate and risk management IT
- Banking/finance/insurance IT
- Technology solutions for government/e-government
- Business solutions
- Digital content
- Telecommunications and wireless network solutions
- Mobile business solutions
- SMS and MMS services
- IT services and consulting
- Data centres/storage
Competitive advantages
- Strong focus on ICT research and development
- Proven ability to adapt solutions over a large and diverse geographic area
- Multi-lingual and highly-skilled workforce
- Strong government commitment to development of ICT industry
- An open and competitive business environment
- Stable economy with excellent infrastructure
- At least 25,000 specialist ICT businesses operating in Australia
- Australian government supports migration of skilled ICT workers
- Strong international reputation for world-class ICT products and services
- Leading-edge telecommunications infrastructure supports the IT industry
- Presence of major ICT multi-national companies in Australia
- Fifth largest ICT market in Asia-Pacific region
Cutting-edge research and development (R&D)
Australia’s research and development sector plays a major role in developing leading-edge technologies, often with government support. National bodies such as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and National ICT Australia are dedicated to developing leading-edge products and services that can compete on an international scale.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that during 2003-2004, expenditure on R&D in the ICT industry was $2.96 billion, which accounted for 32 per cent of total business sector R&D expenditure. This R&D expenditure was predominantly spent in ICT research fields, including computer software ($815 million), and information systems ($707 million).
Sophisticated and extensive telecommunications infrastructure
Australia is connected through a sophisticated and extensive communications infrastructure, including a nation-wide copper network, expanding cable and fibre-optic cable networks, satellites and wireless networks.
This infrastructure enables companies to overcome the complexities of a large geographic area of over 7.7 million square kilometres and a scattered population of 20 million people.
It also creates a sound creative environment for ICT innovation, where skilled and diverse companies and individuals can develop and test their products in a technologically advanced, culturally diverse market environment.
Government/industry support
The Australian Government continues to support the expanding and developing ICT industry with a range of reforms, in particular the Backing Australia’s Ability initiative, which is worth almost AUD$3 billion over five years and is designed to encourage investment in technology development.
These initiatives include establishing World Class Centres of Excellence in key ICT sectors, increasing funding for university ICT departments, research and development tax concessions, and encouraging greater market access for small and medium enterprises.
Internet access
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, it is estimated that 89 per cent of Australian businesses use computers, 77 per cent have access to the Internet and 27 per cent have a website. In addition, more than 55 per cent of the population has Internet access at home and this number is steadily rising.
Australian ICT success stories
IBA Health
Back in 2002, the Malaysian government chose Australia’s largest e-health company to provide virtual electronic health records and systems for Malaysia’s 13 Ministry of Health hospitals, thus replacing a cumbersome manual paperwork system.
Since then, IBA Health’s (www.ibatech.com) products have expanded across the globe and are now used by more than 500 public and private hospitals, 300 aged care facilities, 3,000 primary care providers, and over 5,000 health professionals.
Despite competing on the world stage against much larger international vendors, IBA Health’s Executive Chairman, Gary Cohen believes it was his company’s 'combination of technology, ability to meet local requirements and development capability' that won the job.
Lochard
Lochard (www.lochard.com) is a developer of world-leading systems for airport noise and flight track monitoring and now boasts more than 130 of the world's top airports as its clients.
With an estimated 65 per cent of global market share, more than one billion passengers a year currently pass through airports using Lochard systems and 90 per cent of the company’s $20 million annual revenue is now derived from exports.
NeoProducts
An Australian IT company that provides touch-screen kiosks has successfully positioned itself as a world leader in providing eGovernment solutions after securing several high-profile contracts in Europe.
NeoProducts’ (www.neoproducts.com.au) touch-screen kiosks support a range of applications, including interactive public information systems, photographic digital image processing, self service ordering; and self service music download and burn.
ContentKeeper Technologies
ContentKeeper Technologies (www.contentkeeper.com) produces Internet-filtering software and appliances that help enterprises monitor, control and secure staff access to inappropriate and non-business Internet sites.
With Austrade’s help, ContentKeeper Technologies has gone from strength to strength and now generates around 60 per cent of its revenue from export sales around the world.
(Sources: Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australian ICT Trade Update 2006)
Read about other ICT-related industries (in PDF):
For further information please visit:
www.dcita.gov.au – Australian Department of Communications, IT and Arts
www.aeema.asn.au – Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association
www.agimo.gov.au – Australian Government Information Management Office
www.aiia.com.au – Australian Information Industry Association
www.aimia.com.au – Australian Interactive Media Industry Association
www.csiro.au – Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
www.eiaa.asn.au – Electronics Industry Association
www.investaustralia.gov.au – Invest Australia
www.nicta.com.au – National ICT Australia
(Last updated: 18 Aug 2007)
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