Applied projects accounted for most of the rise in Australian university R&D

Applied research led by dollars

Applied research accounted for roughly 58% of higher education R&D spending in 2024. Its A$1.65 billion rise represented about two-thirds of the increase across the four reported activity types. Source 1

Experimental development grew fastest

Experimental development rose 29% to A$1.717 billion. The ABS definition covers systematic work using research or practical experience to develop new or improved products or processes. The survey measures spending on that work, with separate evidence needed to establish sales or adoption. Source 1 Source 2

Basic research spans two classifications

The ABS separates work undertaken to advance knowledge generally from basic research guided toward broad areas where applications might follow. Spending on these categories reached A$2.572 billion and A$2.642 billion respectively in 2024. Source 1 Source 2

A research activity is different from a field

Activity describes the objective of the work. The same institution or field can contain basic, applied and experimental activity. The ABS report separately classifies the academic field and the socioeconomic objective, allowing readers to answer different questions without treating the tables as additive. Source 1 Source 2

Sources

• Australian Bureau of Statistics higher education R&D release, type of activity
• Australian Bureau of Statistics higher education R&D methodology and glossary