Since the launch of the strategy in May 2023, state and territory governments have made strategic investments and developed initiatives supporting the growth of the quantum sector and alignment with the themes and actions identified in the strategy. These actions help ensure Australia’s recognition as a leader of the global quantum industry. They also reinforce quantum technologies are integral to a prosperous, fair, and inclusive Australia.
The Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australian, Victorian, and Western Australian Governments all support the Quantum Australia consortium. Other notable examples of state and territory government support include:
- In October 2023, the Queensland Government released the $83.7 million Queensland Quantum and Advanced Technologies Strategy. The strategy has 5 key pillars to further develop Queensland’s deep science capability, research commercialisation, quantum workforce development, engagement and missions, and investment. In the 2024–25 Queensland Budget, an extra $6 million was provided for the Queensland Quantum Academy.
- In June 2024, 5 quantum advanced technologies programs under the Queensland Quantum and Advanced Technologies Strategy were launched, including:
- Quantum and Advanced Technologies Commercialisation Infrastructure Program for testing and fabrication infrastructure to support prototyping and small batch productions of quantum and advanced technology. Funded projects include:
- $7.5 million to Griffith University to expand the Queensland Microtechnology Facility’s ability to fabricate power electronics products for industry and kick-start a new compound semiconductor industry in Queensland
- $6.3 million to the University of Queensland for the National Advanced Photonics Facility, the first Australian commercial capability in manufacturing and processing nanophotonics and optomechanics
- $4 million to CSIRO to enable the advanced packaging of integrated photonic chips, giving Queensland a unique ‘design to device’ fabrication capability for integrated photonics
- $5.9 million to the University of Queensland for the National Quantum Computing Testbed Facility to support development of products for the global quantum computing supply chain
- $3.4 million to the University of Southern Queensland for the National Cryogenic Electronics Measurement Facility, an Australian-first industry-accessible cryogenic facility for development of quantum products
- $762,825 to the University of Queensland for the Queensland Photon Detector Characterisation Facility, to develop the next generation of visible and near infrared photon detectors for quantum sensing and computing applications, which will be unique in working at room temperature.
- Quantum and Advanced Technologies Talent Building Program to attract and keep expertise that focuses on ensuring a diverse future workforce.
- $3.8 million to fund a total of 88 scholarships, including for Honours, Masters, and PhD students.
- Quantum Decarbonisation Mission to accelerate the development and application of quantum technologies that contribute to decarbonisation.
- One $10 million grant awarded to the University of Queensland for the Queensland Quantum Decarbonisation Alliance.
- Quantum 2032 Challenge to showcase Queensland quantum technologies at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Funded projects include:
- $999,855 to the University of Queensland to develop quantum-enabled low field magnetic resonance imaging for high-performance sport
- $594,331to Griffith University to advance quantum sensors for the ultrasensitive measurement of iron
- $999,808 to the University of Queensland to develop low-cost portable quantum magnetoencephalography (MEG) for immediate concussion diagnosis of athletes on the sports field
- $832,411 to the University of Southern Queensland to develop hybrid quantum-wearable sensor technology for monitoring and screening youth athletes' movements for injury prevention
- $911,110 to the University of Queensland to develop a quantum exo-garment for unrivalled measurement of muscle function in sport
- $498,029 to the University of Queensland to develop novel quantum sensors for the identification and detection of chemical and biochemical warfare agents
- Quantum and Advanced Technologies Co-investment Program supporting co-investment in relevant science and translation initiatives. Funded projects include:
- $1.08 million co-investment to support the Queensland node of Quantum Australia.
- The Queensland Government, along with the Australian Government, invested $470 million in equity and loans to jointly fund the PsiQuantum to build a fault tolerant quantum computer in Brisbane.
- In January 2023, the New South Wales Quantum Computing Commercialisation Fund program was announced and gave $6.8 million in grants to:
- Diraq to commercialise a cloud accessible 10-qubit quantum computing processor
- Q-CTRL to build hybrid quantum computing software as a service solution for the financial sector
- Quantum Brilliance to commercialise their quantum computer emulator software allowing researchers to design and test quantum algorithms on classical computers.
- In May 2024, the New South Wales Government released the Quantum Algorithms and Applications Study. Commissioned by the Office of the New South Wales Chief Scientist and Engineer and authored by Professor Michael Bremner and Associate Professor Simon Devitt from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), the study explores the potential impact of quantum computing on New South Wales. The study presents a pathway for commercialising a quantum computer, and probable algorithms and use cases for the technology in New South Wales.
- In February 2023, the University of Sydney announced $7.4 million investment to expand its quantum technology facilities to create the Future Qubit Foundry at the Sydney nanoscience Hub. The facility will use the University of Sydney’s research experience in advanced quantum technologies and position it to contribute to the next-generation design of qubits.
- Following $37 million in investments in quantum businesses through Breakthrough Victoria in 2023, the Victorian Government continues to support the growth of the Melbourne quantum ecosystem. Funding provided through the Industry R&D Infrastructure Fund supports the establishment of a Quantum Diamond Foundry that would focus on creating a world-first certified supply of quantum diamond materials for advanced applications.
- The Australian Capital Territory Government’s support has been crucial in the establishment of the Quantum Optical Ground Station at Mt Stromlo. Launched in December 2023, the Quantum Optical Ground Station is a first for Australia. The station is equipped with advanced instrumentation including adaptive optics and quantum technology allowing high performance and enhanced security.
- The Canberra quantum ecosystem continues to be supported by the Australian Capital Territory Government. This is through targeted investments in quantum businesses and capabilities through its Priority Investment Program. Businesses supported include Quantum Brilliance, Nomad Atomics and Liquid Instruments.
- The Australian Capital Territory Government has commenced a co-design process with the sector to develop a quantum hub to strengthen regional expertise, stimulate engagement, and attract focused investment and talent.
- The Western Australian Government supports its local node of Australian National Fabrication Facility based at the University of Western Australia. It undertakes research and innovation in advanced microelectronic, optoelectronic and photonic materials, devices and systems.
- The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research at the University of Western Australia is demonstrating secure and ultra high-speed communications. This will allow free-space quantum communications such as space-to-ground quantum key distribution. Commercialisation of this research is taking place through a Department of Defence-funded partnership with Electro Optic Systems.
State and territory governments also play an important role in quantum workforce development including:
- Sydney Quantum Academy (SQA) continues to create programs and events to develop a diverse quantum workforce and build Australia’s quantum economy.
- In November 2023 it released the National Quantum Industry Workforce Development Review sharing insights on Australia’s quantum landscape and skills and workforce needs.
- The SQA offered the Undergraduate Research Scholarship Program to 38 successful applicants in 2023–24.
- In February 2024, it hosted the Quantum Australia conference and career fair with record attendance.
- South Australia’s Industry Doctoral Training Centre (IDTC) pilot program and Future Industry Making Fellows Scheme (FIMFS) also support workforce development:
- Based on the UK Centres of Doctoral Training model, the IDTC pilot program aims to support the translation of research into industry. One of 2 streams of the pilot focusses on the industrial application of quantum technologies, with $1 million specifically dedicated to this quantum stream.
- The FIMFS supports early and mid-career researchers of outstanding research calibre with the potential to attract and keep highly skilled research talent to South Australia. In the last year, it awarded a fellowship to an influential quantum thought leader. This fellowship will support working with academia and industry on building sovereign capability in photonics, which has applications in quantum sensing.
- Queensland’s Quantum and Advanced Technology Strategy, and Queensland Quantum Academy both support students in quantum and advanced technology areas.
- The $3.81 million Quantum and Advanced Technologies Talent Building Program grants scholarships to build talent in the quantum and advanced technologies ecosystem. It includes targeted funding for underrepresented groups.
- A further $6 million is available for establishment of the Queensland Quantum Academy to fund quantum technology-related materials and introduce learning opportunities in schools and TAFE.
- The Quantum Girls project managed by the University of Western Australia addresses skills shortage and gender imbalance in STEM. The project will train female teachers and enrol female students across the nation. Over the last year, Quantum Girls has run events at schools and National Science Week.
Additionally, states and territories have been active in supporting facilities that help technology industries, including quantum.
- The New South Wales Government invested $3 million in the Advanced Prototype Packaging Facility (APPF). Located at the UTS and the University of Sydney, the APPF will service a range of priority industries, including quantum computing. The APPF will develop commercial grade packaged semiconductor and photonic device prototypes. It includes a suite of tools for prototype packaging development, including testing and qualification capabilities, and cutting across technology platforms.
- The Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility in New South Wales called for first projects in research and development in technologies which need advanced manufacturing techniques. This program supports crucial infrastructure to allow research and development of semiconductors and quantum computing technologies.
- Launched in August 2023, the Semiconductor Sector Service Bureau brings together academics, industry, and officials. The Bureau aims to support and grows the New South Wales and Australian semiconductor sector from devices all the way through to end-user applications.
States and territories also have programs supporting their local venture capital ecosystems, which quantum businesses can access. Examples include:
- The Australian Capital Territory Government announced a new Venture Capital Fund to help innovative small to medium Canberra enterprises including quantum businesses commercialise and scale.
- The Queensland Government’s $130 million Venture Capital Development Fund managed by Queensland Investment Corporation attracted 10 Venture Capital funds. These included deep technology investors Main Sequence Ventures, Antler and Salus Ventures.
- The Western Australian Government’s WA Venture Support pilot program builds up Western Australia’s venture capital ecosystem, which quantum businesses can access.
Improving national coordination on quantum
Coordination with state and territory governments occurs through the State and Territory Working Group on Quantum. This group brings together economic development agencies from the states and territories and DISR to manage and collaborate on the growth of the national quantum ecosystem. Agencies represented include:
- The Australian Capital Territory Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
- The Office of the New South Wales Chief Scientist and Engineer
- The Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist
- The Office of the Victorian Lead Scientist
- The South Australian Department of Trade and Investment
- The Tasmanian Department of State Growth
- The Western Australian Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation
- The Northern Territory Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade.