Details of the Strategy
The National Enabling Technologies Strategy has been officially released. Please click here to download a copy of the report. The Strategy has six major themes:
- A national approach
Through the Strategy, a collaborative effort and joint activities will be encouraged between Federal, State and Territory governments and agencies and a wide range of stakeholders, consistent with the aims of the Strategy. More information is available on the Stakeholder Advisory Council and the Commonwealth State Working Group which are being established under the Strategy.
- Balancing risk and reward
The Strategy will support the appropriate coverage of enabling technologies in policy and regulatory frameworks, and support Government agencies to ensure that Government policy is informed by an understanding of health, safety, environmental, social and economic considerations. More information is available on the HSE activities taking place under NETS, and also on the international engagement activities taking place under NETS.
- Engaging with the public
The Enabling Technologies Public Awareness and Community Engagement program will provide balanced and factual information on enabling technologies to inform public debate, and to encourage greater community engagement in debates about the development and use of enabling technologies.
- Developing measurement capabilities
The National Measurement Institute (NMI) will develop measurement infrastructure, expertise and standards for nanotechnology and biotechnology (nanometrology and biometrology).
- Using technology for a better future
The Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research will increase government, industry and the community's understanding of the ways in which applications of enabling technologies may help to address major global and national challenges and increase industry productivity, and will encourage the responsible development and uptake of these technologies.
- Planning for the Future
The Strategy will assist Government, researchers, industry and other stakeholders to prepare for the advent of new technologies by undertaking foresighting activities and supporting the development policy and regulatory frameworks. An Expert Forum of 8 to 10 people will be established in 2010 to guide the Strategy’s technology foresighting activities.
Working with others
DIISR will work with a range of stakeholders to undertake the various activities outlined in this document and developed over the course of the Strategy. A work program for the Strategy in the upcoming financial year will also be established in consultation with key stakeholders.
The Strategy has the capacity to support a number of small projects to further the broad objectives of the Strategy. Guidelines will be developed by mid 2010 to give stakeholders clear guidance of the type of projects that can be supported under the Strategy.
Consultations and submissions
Over 550 stakeholders were contacted in relation to NETS. A variety of stakeholders from Government agencies, industry, researchers, universities and non-government organisations attended consultation sessions on NETS which were held in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide throughout August 2009.
Stakeholders were also given the opportunity to provide written submissions.
Relevant links
Contact us
Alison Hemmings, Manager
Enabling Technologies Policy Section
GPO Box 9839
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Telephone: +61 2 6213 7031
Email: enablingtechnologies@innovation.gov.au