Coonan: opportunities abound for niche ISVs

Australia’s niche software developers are globally competitive yet domestically undervalued, according to a new government report.

Released today by ICT Minister Helen Coonan, The Australian software industry and vertical application markets report provided the first statistical analysis into local specialist software companies.

While the Australian software product industry employed 17,000 staff and earned $2.7 billion in 2004 -05 specialist developers earned $934 million, of which 89 per cent, or $831 million, was earned by Australian-grown firms.

The report also indicated there were significant growth opportunities still available in verticals such as education, energy, government, health, ICT, manufacturing, minerals, and trade and commerce.

“Australian-grown specialist developers are aggressively targeting the export market and, according to estimates, account for $226 million of exports, or 27 per cent of their revenue,” Coonan said in a statement.

“It is my aim to grow these potential export opportunities and I will shortly be discussing the development of industry priorities with industry and State and Territory Governments.”

The report can be found at: www.dcita.gov.au/ICT