The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports higher education research and experimental development was up 12 per cent, on current prices in 2016-18, but unchanged as a proportion of GDP, at 0.62 per cent

How much: $12,158m in calendar 2018

Split how: Current costs (including labour) were up 10 per cent on 2016 and capex grew 33 per cent

Sourced from: general university funds (56 per cent) and other Commonwealth sources (16 per cent)

Spent where: In the eastern states (76 per cent)

On what: medical and health sciences accounted for 31 per cent of HERD

Who does the work: Postgrads (56 per cent), academics (30 per cent) and support staff the rest