We congratulate eight outstanding and emerging STEM leaders awarded a Science Meets Parliament scholarship for 2026! These scholarships enable participation from a diverse cohort of leaders from across Australia, reflecting STA’s ongoing leadership in championing equity, diversity and inclusion in science and technology. With the support of our partners, scholarships were awarded across seven categories; […]
Australia is at risk of weakening its national science capability unless the Australian Government urgently addresses the way it funds the CSIRO, other public research agencies and science in general. Responding to the inquiry into Funding and resourcing for the CSIRO, the Science & Technology Australia (STA) submission argues that ongoing budget pressures, coupled with […]
The Australian Government must take urgent action to ensure Australia can attract the world’s best and brightest, including better support for migrant STEM professionals, according to the Science & Technology Australia (STA) submission for the Inquiry into the value of skilled migration to Australia. The nation is facing a critical shortage of STEM professionals, with […]
Australia’s STEM capability is facing a severe crisis and immediate action is needed to avoid the loss of critical research capabilities, mass exodus of talent and failure of key government priorities, according to the Pre-Budget Submission by Science and Technology Australia (STA). This crisis is being fuelled by the flatlining in real terms of Commonwealth […]
Minister Tim Ayres will deliver the Science Meets Parliament 2026 National Press Club address, sharing his vision for how research and innovation can translate into new Australian industries, high-value jobs and a stronger economy.
Katherine Bennell-Pegg continues to make history, named 2026 Australian of the Year after becoming the first person to qualify as an astronaut under Australia’s space program. Ms Bennell-Pegg has made it her mission to inspire others, speaking at Science and Technology Australia’s (STA) premier event Science Meets Parliament in 2025. And, as a Superstar of […]
Professor Emma Johnston AO is being remembered as a transformative science leader with a passion to improve education and create opportunities for all kinds of people to thrive in STEM. Professor Johnston was President of Science & Technology Australia (STA) from 2017-2019. She is credited with growing STA’s visibility, membership and capacity to influence. STA […]
Australia’s scientists and technologists welcome increased funding for CSIRO and ANSTO in the mid-year budget update, but investment in research and development is not keeping up with rising costs. The Australian Government has committed an additional $233 million for CSIRO and $40 million for ANSTO to produce affordable nuclear medicines. “This is a welcome shot […]
The National AI Plan released today provides a level of certainty for the economy and direction for the research and innovation sector that is critically needed, but Australia must now make substantial investment in infrastructure and the future workforce, according to Science & Technology Australia (STA). The Stanford AI Index shows from 2013-24, the US […]
Visionary leader and ocean governance expert Jas Chambers has become Science & Technology Australia’s new President – with a drive to bring science, business, and government together to generate the industry and economy of tomorrow. Ms Chambers brings her deep experience of working in governance, policy, and international diplomacy to this sector-leading role, along with […]
It was Paula Taylor who summed up the heartbreak of the CSIRO declaring it would have to sack 350 research staff. The news broke late on Tuesday. That night I received a message from Paula, the recipient of this year’s Prime Minister’s Prize for excellence in science teaching in primary schools. “How do I make a case for students to pursue science?” she asked me.
Today’s funding cuts at CSIRO are disappointing and a step in the wrong direction for Australia’s research system. Our national science agency has today announced cuts of up to 350 full-time equivalent research roles and that some research activities will be deprioritised to ensure a sustainable future for the organisation. “We support CSIRO’s ambition to […]
The Australian Government’s statement on the Pathway to Diversity in STEM Review demonstrates its commitment to building a more equitable STEM workforce. This review, published in February 2024, charted a path to boosting diversity, including by learning from best practice, such as Science & Technology Australia’s (STA) own Superstars of STEM program. “This statement outlines […]
The Government’s Strategic Examination of R&D (SERD) is failing vital discovery research, doesn’t propose a coherent solution for Australia’s research infrastructure system, and is not addressing calls to build a more cohesive system.
Science & Technology Australia will hold its annual general meeting (AGM) on 13 November 2025. This year, we welcome nominations for 2 Board director positions.
The nation’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics sector has welcomed the announcement that the Australian Government will explore joining Horizon Europe.
Science & Technology Australia is proud to congratulate Dr Noushin Nasiri, a 2021 Superstar of STEM and Head of the NanoTech Laboratory at Macquarie University, whose team, ‘Fission Chips’ has won the ANSTO Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology.
Science & Technology Australia is thrilled to celebrate Dr Vanessa Pirotta, a 2021 Superstar of STEM, and mentor in our 2025 cohort, who this week won the prestigious Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science.
Last night at Parliament House, Science & Technology Australia joined Engineers Australia, the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering (ATSE), Consult Australia, and the Australian Council of Engineering Deans (ACED) for the launch of the new Parliamentary Friends of Engineering.
Science & Technology Australia marked its 40th anniversary last week with a celebratory event on Ngunnawal Country in Canberra, bringing together members, alumni, and leaders from across the STEM sector. The event highlighted four decades of advocacy, innovation, and programs that have shaped the Australian science and technology landscape. STA Deputy CEO Sandra Gardam opened […]
Australia’s STEM sector has called for a seat at the Economic Reform Roundtable to ensure a focus on using research and development (R&D) to create new industries and build an innovation-driven economy to power productivity.
Science & Technology Australia announces the appointment of outstanding leaders from across the STEM sector to its key governance committees.
This NAIDOC Week, we honour and celebrate the deep and enduring scientific knowledges of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, whose innovation, connection to Country, and leadership continue to inform and enrich science across Australia. From astronomy to engineering, land care to ecological systems, Indigenous knowledges inspire and strengthen STEM fields every day. We’re proud […]
The upcoming Productivity Roundtable should focus on the big picture of driving growth through research and innovation, rather than getting lost in the weeds of tax tinkering and niche ‘nice-to-have’ needs.
Science & Technology Australia (STA) congratulates STA President, research rock star and commercialisation champion Professor Sharath Sriram on his appointment as the new Chief Scientist of Western Australia.
Science & Technology Australia is seeking candidates to join our Committees. These positions are fantastic opportunities for individuals to contribute their ideas and expertise to help STA achieve its mission.
Australia’s scientists and technologists congratulate the Labor Party on its successful re-election, and look forward to the Government building on the science, research, technology and innovation foundations it laid in the first term.
As Australians prepare to head to the polls, we need our politicians to commit to investing in innovation from research and development, writes STA CEO Ryan Winn.
Australia’s scientists and technologists have warmly welcomed the Federal Budget’s practical measures to ease immediate cost of living pressures and support those recovering from natural disasters, but warned the country’s long-term prosperity depends on future deep investment in the budget-boosting power of STEM research and development.
Saturday 8 March marks International Women’s Day – a global celebration of the achievements of women and a call to action for gender equality.
Australia’s science and technology sector urges the Coalition to rethink swingeing cuts to the size of the Australian Public Service workforce and commit to protecting the many STEM professionals employed by government.
Australia’s scientists and technologists have welcomed the bold thinking put forward by the Australian Research Council on how it can simplify and clarify its grants programs, better support early career researchers, and take more risks in backing Australian innovators.
Science Meets Parliament (SMP) 2025 was our biggest yet – with the largest number of in-person delegates ever, and we have you to thank for making it the success that it was!
Have your say on pay and conditions in the STEM workforce and have your voice heard in advocacy in our sector – the Professional Scientists’ Remuneration Survey 2025 is open now. The Survey is Australia’s largest and most significant snapshot of the employment conditions of scientists and technologists. It is run by Professionals Australia in partnership with Science & Technology Australia.
We welcome today’s release of the Government’s discussion paper for its Strategic Examination of R&D by Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic MP. In a time of biting cost-of-living challenges, economic adversity and environmental crisis, science and innovation can chart a stronger future for Australia.
In its Pre-Budget submission on behalf of more than 225,000 scientists and technologists, Science & Technology Australia has called for strategic investment in industry development to create a prosperous Australia made from Australian ideas.
STA congratulates the many scientists and technologists recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours, and is thrilled that Mabuigilaig and Goemulgal scientist Dr Katrina Wruck was awarded 2025 Young Australian of the Year.
The nation’s scientists and technologists have welcomed the appointment of Emeritus Professor Tony Haymet FTSE as Australia’s new Chief Scientist.
Two thirds of Australians think scientists should actively advocate for specific policies, and more than 60 per cent think scientists should be more involved in policymaking, according to a global study released by the Australian National University today.
STA extends our warmest congratulations to Professor Ute Roessner AM FAA on her appointment as CEO of the Australian Research Council.
