In what could be the last survey of its kind, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) survey 2006-07, reported that the ICT market was worth about $123 billion and employed around 300 000 people.

These figures are based on the ABS definition for ICT, which is rather broad and includes areas such as electronic and precision equipment maintenance (except domestic appliances). When non-traditional technical areas are excluded, the figure is closer to $98 billion.

Budgetary constraints resulted in the cancellation of the 2008-09 ICT survey, but the ABS said it was investigating alternative methods for gathering and producing ICT industry statistics. The Australian Computer Society said it had not been approached to take over this role.

In 2004-05 the survey found that 274,132 people worked in the ICT sector and total income was $103.35 billion with the ‘pure ICT’ figure at $87 billion.

ABS figures are compiled annually up to June 30, but changes in the survey method have prohibited direct comparisons between the 2006-07 results and those of previous years.

The ICT survey was originally based on the 1993 edition of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC). But the ABS has since depended on an updated version, which omits certain older categories and includes several new areas.