Member Login - Account - Logout

Science and Technology Australia
  • Home
  • About STA
    • About Us
    • Executive and governance
    • Reconciliation Action Plan
    • Policy Vision
    • Policy Wins
    • Work for us
  • News and Publications
    • Latest news
    • Submissions, reports and publications
  • Our Programs
    • Science Meets Parliament
    • Superstars of STEM
    • STEM Ambassadors
    • Parliamentary Friends of Science
    • Science Policy Fellows Alumni
    • Super STEM communicator workshops
  • Membership
    • Our Members
    • Why be a member?
    • Member Benefits Program
    • Member How-to Guides
    • Join STA
    • Login to member portal
    • Register for member portal
  • Contact
  • 2025 STA Federal Election Priorities
  • Home
  • About STA
    • About Us
    • Executive and governance
    • Reconciliation Action Plan
    • Policy Vision
    • Policy Wins
    • Work for us
  • News and Publications
    • Latest news
    • Submissions, reports and publications
  • Our Programs
    • Science Meets Parliament
    • Superstars of STEM
    • STEM Ambassadors
    • Parliamentary Friends of Science
    • Science Policy Fellows Alumni
    • Super STEM communicator workshops
  • Membership
    • Our Members
    • Why be a member?
    • Member Benefits Program
    • Member How-to Guides
    • Join STA
    • Login to member portal
    • Register for member portal
  • Contact
  • 2025 STA Federal Election Priorities
14 December 2018

Uncertain future for R&D sector

woman working in a laboratory with her back to the camera

Science & Technology Australia (STA) has echoed the concern of the university sector today, with projections warning of critically low research and development funding.

With the Mid Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) due on Monday, STA CEO Ms Kylie Walker urged the government to outline a plan to significantly boost public investment in R&D.

“Projections highlighted by Universities Australia show that research funding from government will be the lowest in more than 40 years,” Ms Walker said.

“Australia’s public investment in the critical research that keeps us healthy, well-fed, environmentally resilient and economically robust has not kept pace with our OECD counterparts, who have been growing their R&D funding while ours has fallen.”

“Science and technology are crucial to our future – so it’s crucial we keep investing in the people and facilities that enable it to be carried out. Not doing so is short-sighted and spells imminent disaster for our sector and for our nation.”

The science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sectors raised concerns earlier in the year after Budget tables revealed government support for research and development was continuing to fall. These projections show that this trend is likely to continue without urgent action.

“Australians deserve to hear how the Government plans to rectify this shortfall and ensure the future prosperity of the nation,” Ms Walker said.

“A bold move, like investing in a Translational Research Future Fund, would be a strong signal of intention to boost capacity to innovate. Science & Technology Australia welcomes consultation to help lay the groundwork for this to happen.”

Share
funding oecd policy research science technology universities
Previous StoryNew constellation of Superstars of STEM discovered in Australia
Next StoryCalls for intelligent investment of projected surplus

Related Articles

  • Reef photo taken from above.
    Nominations open for the STA Policy Committee and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee
  • climate_change_legislation(2)_220815
    Pass the climate legislation and ‘name and fame’ transition leaders

ABOUT US

Science & Technology Australia (STA) is Australia’s peak body in science and technology. We represent more than 235,000 scientists, engineers and technologists. STA is an influential voice for evidence and expertise in public policy.

Recent news

  • Congratulations Labor – now let’s build an Australia powered by Australian ideas
  • R&D investment a sure bet on the future
  • Budget 2025: R&D the answer to Australia’s seismic challenges

Our members

  • All Members
  • Agricultural and Food Sciences
  • Aquatic Sciences
  • Biological Sciences
  • Chemical Sciences
  • General Science and Technology
  • Geographical and Geological Sciences
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Medical and Cognitive Sciences
  • Physical Sciences
  • Plant and Ecological Sciences
  • Technological Sciences

Search for news

Most popular

  • #MarchForward for ALL Women and Girls
  • APS cuts threaten Australia’s future
  • Celebrating Science Meets Parliament’s silver jubilee
  • Bold thinking at ARC welcomed by scientists and technologists
  • Budget 2025: R&D the answer to Australia’s seismic challenges

Sign up to our newsletter

Science and Technology Australia Limited (STA) (ACN 664 679 056 and ABN 71 626 822 845) is a company limited by guarantee. STA was formerly known as Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies Inc and was authorised under section 82 of the Associations Incorporation Act 1991 (ACT) to transfer its registration under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) to its new company structure on 3 January 2023.

STA PRIVACY POLICY

OTHER STA POLICIES

ACNC Registered Charity Logo
  • Home
  • News and media releases
  • Become a member
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2024 Science & Technology Australia. All Rights Reserved