Innovation encompasses the creation, adaptation and use of knowledge and technology.
Innovation-active firms in Australia
An innovation-active firm develops or implements new or improved products or processes. The share of innovation-active firms has been increasing from 36.8% in 2006–07 to 45.7% in 2022–23. Source: ABS 2008, 2010b, 2012a, 2014b, 2016b, 2018c, 2020a, 2022c, 2024c
Innovation-active firms, top and bottom industries
Innovation has become more prevalent in all depicted industries since 2010–11. The middle eleven industries in 2022–23 are not included in this chart. Source: ABS 2012a, 2018c, 2024c
Innovation-active firms, by employment size
Innovation has become more prevelant across most firm sizes since 2010–11. Employment size: micro = 0–4 persons; small = 5–19; medium = 20–199; large = 200+. Source: ABS 2012a, 2018c, 2024
Innovation-active firms, by state/territory, 2022–23
Northern Territory had the highest prevalence of innovation-active firms and Tasmania had the lowest in 2022–23. Source: ABS 2012a, 2018c, 2024c
Novelty of innovations
New to the world innovations indicate the creation of new ideas and technology. Most firms adopt existing technology. Source: ABS 2022c, 2024c
Adoption of ICT innovations, top and bottom industries, 2021–22
'AI' (Artificial Intelligence) examples: machine learning; advanced robotics. 'Data analytics' examples: big data; geospatial technology. 'Internet of things' examples: smart meters, security systems and appliances, wireless logistics tracking. This chart excludes the middle eleven industries based on their total rate of adoption. Source: ABS 2023b
Overseas patent families, Australia and USA
Australia is consistently below the USA-benchmark for the generation of foreign-oriented patent families (i.e. groups of patents related to a single invention). Source: WIPO 2023, World Bank Group 2024
Productivity growth, 5-year mean, Australia and USA
Innovation is a driver of productivity. Australian multifactor productivity has been similar to the USA-benchmark since 2015, while Australian labour productivity growth has been on the decline. Source: ABS 2023a, US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024
Self-reported increases in social contributions
Innovation-active firms consistently self-report higher social contributions. Note, self-reported increases may be subject to respondent bias. Source: ABS 2011a, 2012c, 2013a, 2014f, 2015d, 2016e, 2017c, 2018f, 2020a, 2022c, 2024c
Self-reported productivity increases
Innovation-active firms consistently self-report better productivity outcomes. Note: self-reported increases may be subject to respondent bias. Source: ABS Cat. 2011a, 2012c, 2013a, 2014e, 2015c, 2016e, 2017c, 2018f, 2020a, 2022c, 2024c
