The Innovation, Industry, Science and Research portfolio is accountable to the Australian Parliament through:
The portfolio comprises:
Departmental Organisation Chart
THE DEPARTMENT
The Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research strives as a key priority to encourage the sustainable growth of Australian industries by developing a national innovation system that drives knowledge creation, cutting edge science and research, international competitiveness and greater productivity. The Department is committed to developing policies and delivering programs, in partnership with stakeholders, to provide lasting economic benefits ensuring Australia's competitive future.
The Department provides policy advice to its Ministers and the Government, administers legislation, manages programs, undertakes analysis, and provides services and advice to the business, science and research community.
The Department is structured into a number of divisions: AusIndustry (www.ausindustry.gov.au); Industry and Small Business Policy Division; Innovation Division; Enterprise Connect Division; Manufacturing Division; Science and Research Division; eBusiness Division; Corporate Division; the National Measurement Institute (www.measurement.gov.au) and Questacon (www.questacon.edu.au).
In addition, the Office of the Chief Scientist is also located within the Department.
The Department has its headquarters in Canberra and state offices located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, as well as territory and regional offices across Australia managed through AusIndustry.
The Department and its employees are committed to modelling the APS Values and Code of Conduct, promoting ethical standards of behaviour in the workplace.
The Department values the well being of its employees and the contribution they make to the workplace. Initiatives are provided to employees who wish to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. It provides a framework for learning and development that ensures employees are skilled and enabled to perform in an efficient and productive way.
Maintaining a close relationship with our stakeholders and achieving stakeholder satisfaction and confidence in our professional work is an essential outcome for the Department. We pride ourselves on regular consultation and engagement with our stakeholders, and seek their feedback through the annual Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey.
IP Australia falls within the Department's organisational structure as a prescribed agency under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997, but operates independently of the Department on financial matters and with some degree of autonomy on other matters.
IP Australia is the Australian Government agency responsible for granting patent, trade mark, industrial design and plant breeders' rights. IP Australia also manages programs to educate and promote awareness of the benefit of effective protection and use of intellectual property (IP); provides policy advice to government; develops legislation to support Australia's IP system; and contributes to bilateral and multilateral negotiations to improve IP protection internationally. Australia's IP system is well regarded both nationally and internationally and is vital in promoting innovation, investment and international competitiveness.
THE PORTFOLIO
The Anglo-Australian Telescope Board (AATB) is an independent, bi-national authority funded equally by the Governments of Australia and the United Kingdom. The Board operates under the Anglo-Australian Telescope Agreement Act 1970 which came into operation in February 1971.
The AATB is the only world-class optical observatory based in Australia. It provides Australian astronomers leading-edge optical observing facilities which enables astronomers to undertake excellent science and assists in maintaining Australia's international reputation as a world leader in astronomy and astrophysics. The AATB carries out scientific research and has an international reputation for designing and building astronomical instrumentation.
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is a statutory agency under the Public Service Act 1999, created by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Act 1989.
AIATSIS is governed by its own Council, which has a majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members. The role of AIATSIS is to encourage, undertake, promote and publish Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies; to assist in training persons, particularly Aboriginal persons and Torres Strait Islanders, as research workers in fields relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies; to establish and maintain a cultural resource collection consisting of materials relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies; and to encourage understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies.
The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) is a Commonwealth statutory authority established by the Australian Institute of Marine Science Act 1972.
AIMS generates and transfers knowledge to support the sustainable use and protection of the marine environment through innovative, world class research. It does this by carrying out research and development; encouraging and facilitating the application and use of the results of its research; cooperating with other institutions and persons in carrying out research and development; collecting and disseminating information relating to marine science and technology and publishing reports and papers; providing and selling goods and services; and making available to others, on a commercial basis, the knowledge, expertise, equipment and facilities of the Institute.
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is a Commonwealth statutory authority established under the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Act 1987.
ANSTO is Australia's national nuclear research and development organisation and the centre of Australia's nuclear expertise. It provides the Government with expert scientific and technical advice in such areas as Australia’s national strategic and nuclear policy objectives and radioactive waste management. ANSTO operates nuclear science and technology based facilities for the benefit of industry and the Australian research community, including higher education. It conducts and applies environmental; materials engineering; and radiopharmaceutical research as well as research in applications of neutron scattering and x-ray radiation. ANSTO also operates business units, most notably units producing and marketing radiopharmaceuticals, and providing services to the mining and minerals sector.
The Australian Research Council (ARC) is a statutory agency under the Public Service Act 1999, established under the Australian Research Council Act 2001.
The ARC's mission is to advance Australia’s research excellence to be globally competitive and deliver benefits to the community. The ARC advises the Government on research funding and policy and, through its management of the National Competitive Grants Program, promotes the conduct of research and research training that is of the highest quality for the benefit of the Australian community.
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is a Commonwealth statutory authority established under the Science and Industry Research Act 1949.
CSIRO carries out scientific research to assist Australian industry and to further the interests of the Australian community; and to contribute to national and international objectives and responsibilities of the Australian Government. CSIRO also encourages or facilitates the application and use of the results of its own or any other scientific research. Secondary functions specified in the Science and Industry Research Act 1949 include international scientific liaison, training of research workers, publication of research results, and dissemination of science and technology.