Australian science: building our future

Australian science delivers abundant economic and social benefits to the community and contributes to the wealth of global scientific and technical knowledge.  “Australian science: building our future” tells the story of Australian science from its earliest days to the present.  It shows how Australia’s universities and publicly funded research agencies interact with business, industry, government and the global science community to produce world-class science and world-class innovations.  The publication provides a comprehensive explanation of Australia’s science system and the Government policies and programmes that support it.  It draws on the extensive knowledge and experience of the research agencies, Departments and science community that are the key drivers of science in Australia.  The publication outlines Australia’s science policy and discusses world trends in science, and where appropriate making comparisons with Australian science.  It looks at international science linkages and major patterns of collaboration and concludes by highlighting future challenges facing Australia within the area of science.