National Enabling Technologies Strategy Fact Sheet 

KEY POINTS

• The Government has committed $38.2 million over four years from 2009-10 to the National Enabling Technologies Strategy.
• The Strategy will help Australian industries capitalise on growth opportunities and ensure Australia can benefit from the technologies while addressing potential risks to health, safety and the environment. 
• Enabling technologies have applications in many fields of science, industry, environment, agriculture and social outcomes such as health. They are the basis for building knowledge intensive industries that can provide sustainable, high-skill, high-wage jobs for Australians.

National Enabling Technologies Strategy Key Themes

• A national approach - the Strategy will work with Federal, State and Territory governments and agencies and a wide range of stakeholders, to encourage collaborative efforts and joint activities consistent with the aims of the Strategy.  A Commonwealth/State Working Group has been established under the Strategy to promote collaboration and a coordinated approach to addressing issues related to enabling technologies.  A Stakeholder Advisory Council will provide advice on how the Strategy may address important issues that may arise in the development and use of enabling technologies.
• Balancing risk and reward - the Strategy will contribute to the development of policy and regulatory frameworks that appropriately cover enabling technologies, and support Government agencies to ensure that Government policy is informed by an understanding of health, safety, environmental, social and economic considerations.  A Working Group of Government agencies has been established to facilitate a whole of government approach to the health, safety and environmental implications of enabling technologies.
• Developing measurement capabilities - the National Measurement Institute (NMI) has received $18.2 million under the Strategy to develop measurement infrastructure, expertise and standards for nanotechnology and biotechnology.
• Engaging with the public - the Strategy will increase public understanding of enabling technologies and issues surrounding them.  It will increase understanding of public concerns and aspirations about enabling technologies by technology developers and those responsible for policy formulation. 
• Using technology for a better future - the Strategy 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 of policy and regulatory frameworks.  An Expert Forum will be established under the Strategy to assess future challenges and opportunities arising from enabling technologies.

FACTS AND FIGURES

• The metrology aspects of the Strategy have funding of $18.2 million, the public awareness and engagement program approximately $9.4 million and the remaining $10.6 million is for policy coordination, industry uptake, international engagement, and strategic research related to these activities.

WORKING WITH OTHERS

• DIISR is working with a range of stakeholders to undertake the various activities outlined in this document and develop them over the course of the Strategy. 
• Organisations that wish to be involved in the delivery of activities under the Strategy are welcome to put forward proposals.
• A wide range of stakeholders including Commonwealth and State Government departments, industry, NGOs and researchers were consulted in developing the Strategy.  Details of the consultations are available on the Strategy website www.innovation.gov.au/nets.