BACKGROUND COLOUR

Who pays the cost for science?

Analysis
. .
16 Sep 2021
Based on the work of
Jill SheppardMatthew Gray

Australians want scientific research to be publicly funded with 67% of Australians believing that science is best funded by government, rather than by private investment. We also think that Australia’s scientific achievements are ‘above average’ on the world stage and nearly all of us (94%) believe that scientists and industry should cooperate more. The findings reflect an under resourced industry with 84% believing that there should be more people working in research and technological development in Australia. When assessing the advances of technological progress 75% believe that the benefits of outweigh the risks.

84 %

Most think there
should be more people working
in research and technological
development in Australia.

94 %

A large majority think scientists and industry should cooperate more.

75 %

Australians think science is best funded by government, rather than by private investment.

67 %

Australians think science is best funded by government, rather than by private investment.

Government vs Private Funding of Australian Research
Which of the following statements comes closer to your view?
Sources & Methodology
Variable description By statement
Variable time span 2016 (November)
Published by ANU Poll
Publisher Link https://csrm.cass.anu.edu.au/research/publications/innovation-science-and-business
Data Source doi:10.26193/41TXBD
CSV Data
PNG Image
CHART
SOURCES
DOWNLOAD
Most Australians want scientific research to be publicly funded .

This poll finds that most Australians want scientific research to be publicly funded with 67% of Australians believing that science is best funded by government, rather than by private investment. It also finds that half of all Australians think that Australia’s scientific achievements are ‘above average’ on the world stage and nearly all Australians (94%) believe that scientists and industry should cooperate more. The findings reflect an under resourced industry with 84% believing that there should be more people working in research and technological development in Australia. When assessing the advances of technological progress 75% believe that the benefits of outweigh the risks.