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
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Western Australia is a leader in new thinking and innovation
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Knowledge and capability are shared for the benefits of our community
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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?
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Research and Development Expenditure by Region
Government expenditure on R&D in WA as a proportion of Gross State Product (GSP). Research and experimental development expenditure represent the State’s interest in financing basic research, which is mostly performed by universities, and public research organisations. Higher education R&D expenditure represents new scientific and technical knowledge that could translate into innovation outcomes for the benefit of society and the economy.
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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.
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Labour Force Participation by Region
Labour force participation rate. Labour force participation is measured through the percentage of people aged 15 and over who are either employed, or unemployed and had actively looked for work in the last four weeks or are waiting to start a new job in the next four weeks. WA is currently experiencing a higher unemployment rate than the national rate
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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.
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Adult Educational Attainment by Region and Age
Percentage of adults aged 20-64 with a Bachelor's degree or higher qualification. Obtaining a bachelor degree or higher education qualification allows individuals to engage with society, lead fulfilling and rewarding careers, and kick start innovations. WA is currently below the National average for the attainment of bachelor degrees or higher qualifications but the WA rate is trending upwards.
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.
Our investment in supporting Smart, Innovative Societies last financial year
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$4.3M
in grants awarded -
9
total number of grants funded -
2 grants
to support the outcome of Western Australia is a leader in new thinking and innovation -
7 grants
to support knowledge and capability sharing for the benefit of our community
Related Case Studies
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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.
Select the next wellbeing category you want to explore:
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.
