 |  |  |
Industry Affairs
As a partner in the Australian ICT community, Microsoft participates in a number of important Australian information technology organisations that address the numerous policy issues confronting government.
Microsoft's participation in trade associations empowers the company in its goal of helping and supporting the growth of the local ICT industry. These associations serve as an essential single voice for industry and provide important opportunities for discussion and collaboration.
While some associations review the broader interests of business, others concentrate on specific sectors of the ICT industry or encourage companies to unite around specific issues.
Following are links to some of the key associations in which Microsoft Australia is proud to participate:
 | AIIA is a well-established industry association with about 370 member companies that generate combined revenues of more than A$40 billion, employ more than 100,000 Australians and have exports that exceed A$2 billion. The mission of AIIA is to lead and represent the information industry to maximise the potential of the Australian economy. The organisation focuses on a broad range of issues from industry development, e-commerce, innovation and taxation to education and skills |
The BSAA is an organisation made up of the major computer software manufacturers who account for between 70 and 80 percent of the PC software market in Australia. The BSAA was established in 1989 to combat the increasing problem of software theft and piracy in Australia.
Software developers worldwide lose billions of dollars of income a year to software piracy. That means thousands of lost jobs, billions in lost wages and significant sums of lost tax revenue. The BSAA seeks to protect software copyrights and thereby preserve jobs in Australia through education, assistance and, where necessary, litigation.
BSA is the foremost organisation dedicated to promoting a safe and legal online world. BSA educates computer users on software copyrights, advocates public policy that fosters innovation and expands trade opportunities and fights software piracy.
The Internet Industry Association is Australia's national Internet industry organisation. Members include telecommunications carriers, content creators and publishers, Web developers, e-commerce traders and solutions providers, hardware vendors, systems integrators, banks, insurance underwriters, Internet law firms, ISPs, educational and training institutions and Internet research analysts. On behalf of its members, the IIA provides policy input to government as well as advocacy on a range of business and regulatory issues to promote laws and initiatives which enhance access, equity, reliability and growth of the medium within Australia.
 | Microsoft Australia is a founding member of the IT Skills Hub. The site brings together some of the best resources and expertise in Australia's IT industry. IT Skills Hub provides information and resources on education, training, development and services for everyone involved in the sector from users to suppliers, students to educators and employers to employees. The IT Skills Hub is a meeting space that links individuals and agencies with IT skills, opportunities and solutions. It has the backing of Australia's major IT players as well as the federal and state governments. |
The Business Council of Australia is an association of chief executives of leading Australian corporations with a combined national work-force of more than 900,000 people. Established in 1983 to provide a forum for Australian business leadership, the BCA contributes directly to public policy debates in order to build a better and more prosperous Australian society.
CEDA conducts high quality research about the opportunities of economic development within a socially balanced and sustainable context. CEDA's research program is the core of its activities and a vital conduit to policy-makers throughout the nation. Partnering with academic institutions and private sector experts, CEDA delivers sharp analysis and insightful commentary.