Scientific Research Services in Australia - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
Melbourne, Australia
Last Updated: September 2024
ANZSIC M6910Revenue
$12.0bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XXX.Xm
Employees
45,845
Businesses
6,117
Wages
$X.Xbn
Scientific Research Services in Australia industry analysis
The Scientific Research Services industry has performed well over the past few years. The industry includes various government and private sector organisations operating across many scientific fields, particularly in the medical, health and IT sectors. It relies heavily on public sector funding, even though the Federal Government is increasingly calling for more self-funding for research and development (R&D). Research organisations face pressure to generate own-source revenue by raising funds through donations and co-investment with other corporations and governments, and through royalty and licence revenue on intellectual property. Private businesses can also commercialise their research by generating revenue streams after taking developed products to market. These pressures are continuing, as industry profit margins remain low.
Trends and Insights
- The government is spending more on scientific research and development. Since capital and total health expenditure have been climbing, research funding has been on the rise.
- Applied research involves specific research that research organisations conduct, based on previous knowledge. Interest in fields like environmental sciences and renewable energy has been growing, encouraging more applied research.
- Different locations tend to have different purposes for research organisations. Some locations may mostly carry out theoretical research, while physical development occurs elsewhere.
- Research organisations compete with one another for government and private contracts. They also compete on the basis of funding, as government funding facilitates a large amount of scientific research.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $12.0bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Greater funding has fuelled strong performance
- The Scientific Research Services industry has performed well, as demand for scientific research has encouraged consistent revenue growth over the past few years. Research funding has ramped up, particularly in areas that are important to businesses and government like COVID-19, health, IT and computing research.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
A boosted clean energy budget and pandemic-related research will drive innovation and growth
- Research and development in scientific research is set to keep growing over the next few years, as the Federal Government pushes for more investment. Part of this is likely to be driven by the desire to prevent future pandemics, and risks associated with COVID-19.
Biggest companies in the Scientific Research Services in Australia
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue ($m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
CSIRO | 1,788.0 | |
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Operations | 430.2 | |
CSL | 322.7 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 7 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Experimental development research, Applied research and Strategic basic research. Experimental development research is the largest segment of the Scientific Research Services in Australia.
Trends and Insights
Ongoing studies on COVID-19 are fuelling revenue from the applied research segment
- Applied research is original work that research organisations undertake to acquire knowledge for a specific application. While applied research builds on other researchers' accumulated research to deliver practical results, it's often theoretical, and can therefore be less commercial or client-focused compared with experimental development research.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- There are no industries to display.
Complementors
- Engineering Consulting in Australia
- Environmental Science Services in Australia
- Market Research and Statistical Services in Australia
- University and Other Higher Education in Australia
- Pathology Services in Australia
International industries
- Global Biotechnology
- Scientific Research & Development in the US
- Animal Health Biotechnology in the US
- DNA & DNA Forensic Laboratories in the US
- Contract Pharmaceutical Research Services in the US
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Scientific research organisations undertake research relating to agricultural, biological, physical and social sciences. Organisations undertake research for themselves or for other organisations. Federal, state and territory governments provide a large proportion of funding for scientific research.
What's included in this industry?
Applied researchExperimental development researchStrategic basic researchPure basic researchCompanies
CSIROAustralian Nuclear Science and Technology OperationsCSLPurchase this report to view all 7 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
R&DGRANTIndustry Code
ANZSIC 6910 - Scientific Research Services in Australia
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The government is spending more on scientific research and development. Since capital and total health expenditure have been climbing, research funding has been on the rise.
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Applied research involves specific research that research organisations conduct, based on previous knowledge. Interest in fields like environmental sciences and renewable ene...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Different locations tend to have different purposes for research organisations. Some locations may mostly carry out theoretical research, while physical development occurs el...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Research organisations compete with one another for government and private contracts. They also compete on the basis of funding, as government funding facilitates a large amo...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
CSIRO is Australia’s largest scientific research organisation, and is the largest in the industry. It has been adapting its operations – for example, it has been partnering w...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of CSIRO's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Operations's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of CSL's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 4 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for CSIRO, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Operations, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for CSL, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 4 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Various statutory bodies advise on funding and research programs. The National Association of Testing Authorities also provides laboratory accreditation to research organisat...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
The COVID-19 pandemic sparked extra funding for the industry, particularly for vaccine research. This influx of funding has temporarily elevated profit margins.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Australia include:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Australian Taxation Office
- Australian Securities & Investments Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Scientific Research Services industry in Australia in 2024?
The market size of the Scientific Research Services industry in Australia is $12.0bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Scientific Research Services in Australia industry in 2024?
There are 6,117 businesses in the Scientific Research Services industry in Australia, which has grown at a CAGR of 5.2 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Scientific Research Services industry in Australia grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Scientific Research Services industry in Australia has been growing at a CAGR of 1.0 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Scientific Research Services industry in Australia over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Scientific Research Services industry in Australia is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Scientific Research Services market in Australia?
The biggest companies operating in the Scientific Research Services market in Australia are CSIRO, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Operations and CSL
What does the Scientific Research Services in Australia include?
Applied research and Experimental development research are part of the Scientific Research Services industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Scientific Research Services in Australia?
The company holding the most market share in Australia is CSIRO.
How competitive is the Scientific Research Services industry in Australia?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Scientific Research Services industry in Australia.
