Open Data 500 Australia study reveals early insights

Today the Department of Communications of the Australian Government issued early findings of the first stage of their Open Data 500 study. The Government has released 65 use cases that document the new and innovate ways Australian organisations are using open government data.

In partnership with GovLab and along with other members of  OD500 Global Network, which include the U.S., Mexico, Italy and Korea, Australia is analyzing open government data in a manner that is both globally comparative and domestically specific. Early findings are below. 
Cross-posted from the Australian Government Department of Communications press release
The study targets companies and non-profit organisations that use open government data to generate new business, develop new products and services, improve business operations or create social value.
Small businesses made up the majority of participants (79 percent) primarily from data and technology, research and consulting, and geospatial and mapping companies.

Most companies are using data to:

The survey shows companies are using multiple datasets:

And provides insight into what data is being used:

The Open Data 500 Australia will remain open to continue to build the catalogue of open data use cases.  Any organisation currently using open government data is encouraged to participate in the study at:http://www.opendata500.com/au/submitCompany/
The full report is available.