The Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education was an Australian government department that existed between December 2011 and March 2013.
Scope
Information about the department's functions and government funding allocation could be found in the Administrative Arrangements Orders, the annual Portfolio Budget Statements, in the department's annual reports and on the Department's website.
At its creation, the department was responsible for the following:[3]
Manufacturing and commerce including industry and market development
Industry innovation policy and technology diffusion
Promotion of industrial research and development, and commercialisation
Promotion of collaborative research in science and technology
Co-ordination of research policy
Creation and development of research infrastructure
Commercialisation and utilisation of public sector research relating to portfolio programs and agencies
Research grants and fellowships
Information and communications technology industry development
Food industry policy
Training, including apprenticeships and training and assessment services
Support for introduction of a national occupation licensing system
Higher education, skills and vocational education policy and programs
Indigenous higher education and vocational training
Policy, coordination and support for international education
Income support policies and programs for students and apprentices
Structure
The department was an Australian Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, Chris Evans (December 2011 to February 2013) and Chris Bowen (February 2014 to March 2013) and the Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet.[1]
