AbstractHigh technology is a term which is recognised in nearly every country, but a review of definitions used in Australia and other countries shows very little consistency. The Australian situation is looked at in detail and it is argued that this diversity reflects an underlying political reality. In Australia, definitions of high technology have functioned politically to alleviate anxieties and fears, promote visions of the future, and define the ‘political landscape’. Definitions of high technology, therefore, should be seen as much more than an input into the policy making process. They are a critical ‘determining’ part of that process itself.