The City of Ballarat has been heavily involved in the development and nurturing of the ICT sector in Ballarat for a number of years. Through its Economic Development unit the City works with State and Federal Governments to support initiatives and projects that support new and existing business and industry development opportunities for the region. The City of Ballarat has stated that its aim is for Ballarat to become the premier provincial city in Australia for ICT, a Centre of Excellence (City of Ballarat 2003). Through its partnership with the University of Ballarat the City of Ballarat has been successful in attracting businesses such as IBM and the State Revenue Office to Ballarat (City of Ballarat 2004). The City of Ballarat has played a lead role in securing State Government funding for the Ballarat ICT Cluster project. In addition to providing matching funding it provides a range of additional support through its Economic Development and Information Technology departments. Further information on the City of Ballarat can be accessed at www.ballarat.vic.gov.au.

The University of Ballarat (UB) has played a critical role in the effective use and development of the ICT infrastructure, skills and services in Ballarat and the broader Central Highlands and Wimmera regions of Victoria. UB offers a comprehensive range of Bachelor, Masters and Research degrease through the School of Information Technology and Maths Science. The flagship degree is the Bachelor of Information Technology (Professional Practice) which is offered in conjunction with IBM as an Earn As You Learn program. The University is home to a number of specialist research centres. These include the:

The Ballarat Technology Park located on the Mount Helen Campus of the University of Ballarat, was officially launched in February 1995 as the first step towards implementing a strategic initiative for the region to promote and develop regional technology companies and to serve as an incubator for start-up enterprises. Ballarat Technology Park tenants can network with companies in similar fields and access business support services. The park offers the opportunity for successful businesses to perform in a multi-national arena without having to leave the Park (www.ballarattechnologypark.com).

The Ballarat Technology Park house a range of organisations, companies, special purpose facilities and start-up enterprises. Close ties to the University of Ballarat provide intellectual resources and technical facilities while further promoting cooperation between education and industry. The Ballarat Technology Park facilities include:

Major tenants include:

cBallarat is an independent not-for-profit organisation that has been established to assist in the promotion and coordinator of ICT activities in the Ballarat Region. cBallarat conducts its activities through an Executive Officer who is support by a Board of Management. The cBallarat Board is made up of industry representatives who are committed to taking a leadership role in setting ICT policy direction and developing ICT project in Ballarat. Further information on cBallarat can be accessed at www.cballarat.com.au.

The Ballarat Information Technology Professionals network (BITs) has been established since 2002. It aims to support increased networking and knowledge sharing among IT professionals in the Ballarat region. Bi-monthly breakfast and evening functions are jointly sponsored by cBallarat, the City of Ballarat and JK Personnel (see http://www.businessballarat.com/?id=busballaratits for further information).