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About Knowledge Intensive Services

The South Australian Government, through the Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy (DMITRE) is supporting the state's high-value, knowledge intensive services capabilities. The aim is to diversify the state's economic base and drive sustainable economic growth.

South Australia's Knowledge Intensive Services enable innovation and productivity in traditional industries such as agriculture, manufacturing and mining as well as in emerging industries such as cleantech, high-value manufacturing and resources technology and services. With its mature service industries, South Australia is also well placed to take advantage of the growing global demand for Knowledge Intensive Services, especially among emerging economies in Asia.

Important facts about Knowledge Intensive Services in South Australia

  • There are more than 20,000 Knowledge Intensive Services businesses
  • Knowledge Intensive Services activity accounts for almost 25 percent of the economy and almost 20 percent of employment.
  • Knowledge Intensive Services have generated $1.2 billion in export revenue in 2010/11, which is 9 per cent of the total goods and services exports in South Australia.
  • Education is South Australia's most successful export to date, generating revenue of $985 million in 2010/11, which is almost double the revenue from education exports in 2004-05.

What is a Knowledge Intensive Service Business?

Knowledge Intensive Services are those that:

  • are provided by private sector businesses, commercial public sector organisations and research bodies that use knowledge and technology to drive their business
  • are provided by businesses that engage in more research and development, use higher technology and employ more highly skilled workers compared to other types of services businesses
  • are tradable, in that they are able to be exported or substituted for imports from other countries and other states
  • are recognised as providing a significant amount of innovation in modern developed economies.

What is the South Australian Government doing to support the Knowledge Intensive Services industry?

Knowledge Intensive Services are found in a diverse range of service industries. DMITRE is focusing on the following Knowledge Intensive Service industries, which have been identified as having strong potential for growth through export and import replacement:

  • arts and recreation
  • computer system design
  • education and training
  • franchising
  • information media and telecommunications
  • professional, scientific and technical research and support
  • medical and allied services
  • specialist support to agriculture, fishing, forestry, aquaculture and mining.

DMITRE administers a Knowledge Intensive Services Program. Staff engage with industry, education and research organisations as well as other government stakeholders to develop South Australia's Knowledge Intensive Services sector through a range of industry development activities, such as:

  • building an understanding of South Australia's Knowledge Intensive Services sector and identifying key capabilities
  • gathering intelligence about business opportunities and working with external partners and allies to facilitate access , e.g. through government-to-government, industry-to-industry and enterprise-to-enterprise linkages
  • facilitating cross-industry and cross-stakeholder collaboration
  • developing initiatives to foster and support the growth of South Australia's Knowledge Intensive Services capabilities consistent with South Australia's Knowledge Intensive Services Strategy for Growth 2012-14.

South Australia's Knowledge Intensive Services Strategy for Growth 2012-14

South Australia's Knowledge Intensive Services Strategy for Growth 2012-14 is a blueprint for a collaborative approach between industry, government, universities, research organisiations and other stakeholders towards the growth and sustainability of Knowledge Intensive Services in South Australia.

Under the strategy, DMITRE undertakes the following in developing the Knowledge Intensive Services Sector:

Provides a supportive role - sponsors action across a spectrum of stakeholders including the three tiers of government, educational institutions, research organisations, industry associations, industry representative groups, knowledge intensive businesses, to build a culture of sector-wide collaboration.

Foster a shared vision - promotes the role of Knowledge Intensive Services in South Australia's economic future to facilitate the development of strategies across multiple stakeholders enabling sustainable growth across the sector.

Develop an industry focus - supports and facilitates specific actions to develop South Australia's niche capabilities, competitive advantages and global presence.

Brand and market South Australia as a knowledge-intensive State - promotes South Australia as a state that is globally recognised for it's world-class, innovative, high-value Knowledge Intensive Services sector and an attractive and preferred location to do business and to invest.

Initiatives to Support the Knowledge Intensive Services Sector

Knowledge Intensive Services Showcase Directory

The Showcase Directory is a complimentary service to South Australian businesses which meet the defined characteristics of a Knowledge Intensive Service business and demonstrate outstanding leadership in service delivery.

Benefits of being included in the Directory include:

  • showcasing your business to potential partners, national and international buyers and investors.
  • increased exposure to the domestic and overseas markets (through the South Australian Government's overseas offices and other intermediaries)
  • accessing opportunities for collaboration in supply chain, project bid teams and research networks.

The Directory is available online to search or download through the Knowledge Intensive Services Gateway

Building the Knowledge Intensive Services Community

DMITRE invites you to become a part of the Knowledge Intensive Services community and stay up to date with one of South Australia's most dynamic industry sector by visiting the Knowledge Intensive Services Gateway through these five easy steps:

  1. Visit the Knowledge Intensive Services Gateway www.dmitre.sa.gov.au/kis to learn about Knowledge Intensive Services in South Australia.
  2. Search or download the Knowledge Intensive Services Showcase Directory which lists leading providers with unique capability in South Australia.
  3. Nominate your organisation for the Showcase Directory if you meet the requirements.
  4. Subscribe and receive regular updates about Knowledge Intensive Services, including strategies, initiatives, news, events and opportunities.
  5. Contact the Industry Development Officers by emailing dmitrekis@sa.gov.au to learn more about the opportunities to grow your organisation.