Understand your community

Smart Innovative Society

Optimising our community’s talent and capability.

Innovating for a better WA

Innovation is about more than just technology. It’s about finding new ways of working together, bringing out the best in people, being willing to trial new approaches to tackle society’s biggest challenges, and ensuring our organisations are strong and adaptive. Innovation is critical to supporting Western Australians to thrive.

Key Outcomes

  • Western Australia is a leader in new thinking and innovation

  • Knowledge and capability are shared for the benefits of our community

  • Talent is attracted to and retained in Western Australia

Indicators of Smart, Innovative Societies

To measure the progress and digital inclusion in communities, we need to look at many different indicators to make sure we get the full picture of community development. Important indicators include research and development, early childhood development, labour force participation, digital inclusion and adult educational attainment.

 

So, how is WA tracking against key innovation and development indicators?

  • Early Childhood Development by Region

    Percentage of children who are recorded as 'on track' in each of the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) developmental domains. The progress of children in WA is measured across the five Australian Early Development Census developmental domains of physical health and wellbeing; social competence; emotional maturity; language and cognitive skills (school based); and communication skills and general knowledge. More children in WA are ‘on track’ compared to the National average in all domains except for language and cognitive skills.

  • Digital Inclusion by Region and Age

    Australian Digital Inclusion Index Score (ADII) for WA. With many services now available online, barriers to going online will limit the ability of disadvantaged groups to access the benefits from a digital economy. This includes education, information, government and community services. The Australian Digital Inclusion Index is measured using three scores ranging from 0-100 on the access, affordability and digital ability of people in Australia. The WA score on the Australian Digital Inclusion Index has improved from 2018 to 2019, however it is still sitting below the national figure.

How we’re helping to support innovation for a better WA

Lotterywest and Healthway fund not-for-profit organisations and Local Governments to promote a culture of innovation and to trial new ways of solving complex societal issues. Learnings are shared for the benefit of the broader WA community. 

DSC03354

Our investment in supporting Smart, Innovative Societies last financial year

  • Coins

    $4.3M

    in grants awarded
  • Shake

    9

    total number of grants funded
  • Brain

    2 grants

    to support the outcome of Western Australia is a leader in new thinking and innovation
  • Health

    7 grants

    to support knowledge and capability sharing for the benefit of our community
Browse our grants library

Dive deeper into your community

Use the Community Insights Tool to access the latest publicly available data on wellbeing indicators in WA. This tool is ideal for framing your project to your unique community and state of wellbeing.

au-map

Explore more wellbeing categories

Inclusive Thriving Community
Inclusive Thriving Community
Connected Cultural Experiences
Connected Cultural Experiences
Protected Sustainable Ecosystems
Protected Sustainable Ecosystems
Active Healthy People
Active Healthy People

Not sure where to start?

Find inspiration for your project and browse the initiatives and grants already making their mark on wellbeing in Western Australia.

Ready to plan your project?

Understand your vision, plan your impact and report on the outcomes of your project with three easy interactive tools in the Community Impact Planner.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Western Australian Community Impact Hub acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Owners of the land on which we are based, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation and extends that respect to all the Traditional Owners and Elders of this country. We recognise the significant importance of their cultural heritage, values and beliefs and how these contribute to the positive health and wellbeing of the whole community.