The National Innovation and Science Agenda has just been launched!

What is the National Innovation and Science Agenda?

The National Innovation and Science Agenda includes a number of initiatives designed to boost business capability, enable innovation and embrace new ideas.

The Agenda acknowledges that technology is changing the way business is done around the world, and ensures that Australia doesn’t fall behind.

Four key themes

The Agenda focuses on four key themes:

• Taking the leap - backing Australian entrepreneurs by helping them access finance and having fewer penalties for failure. 
  Initiatives include:
• • tax incentives for investors
  • changes to venture capital partnerships
  • reforms to insolvency laws
  • boosts to business incubators.
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• Working together - increasing collaboration to help solve real world problems and create jobs. 
  Initiatives include:
• • using business solutions for critical government policy and service delivery challenges
  • implementing a Global Innovation Strategy for international collaboration between business and researchers
  • expanding the Entrepreneur’s Programme
  • speeding up grant applications for innovations.
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• Best and brightest - developing and attracting world-class talent for the jobs of the future. 
  Initiatives include:
• • upskilling youth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for the digital-based economy
  • a new Entrepreneur’s visa to attract critical skills to Australia
  • addressing gender inequity to improve female participation in STEM study and careers.
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• Leading by example - government will lead by example by embracing innovation and agility in the way we do business. 
  Initiatives include:
• • data analytics training for businesses
  • releasing more non-sensitive data for private sector innovation
  • opening up government procurement spends to smaller innovative companies, especially for IT procurement spends.