The revitalised National Science and Research Priorities emphasise the science and research collaborations Australia will need to solve our greatest challenges.
The priorities are:
The priorities support the National Science Statement.
Our department recognises the First Peoples of this Nation and their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to the lands, waters, seas, skies, and communities.
We Acknowledge First Nations Peoples as the Traditional Custodians and Lore Keepers of the oldest living culture and pay respects to their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples.
Crafted by Lawson 'Wukawe' Dodd for the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR), 'A Cultural Synergy' is a digital vector artwork symbolising the integration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge into Australian culture, economy, and science. Traditional symbols and contemporary design convey the essence of collaboration, featuring large circular meeting places at the core, representing diverse communities uniting to share culture, knowledge, and resources.
Arch-like shapes surrounding these circles highlight the significance of collaborative research, while journey lines interconnect them, illustrating the fusion of First Nations wisdom with Western scientific resources. The vibrant background, showcasing various colours and textures, mirrors the rich history of science across cultures, reflecting the shared effort between First Nations knowledge and Western science. Structured as a left‑to-right journey, the artwork depicts the evolution of science, with dramatic branches reaching out to connect with First Nations communities and integrate their knowledge into the broader narrative of Australian science progress. 'A Cultural Synergy' is a visual celebration of unity, embodying the harmonious blend of cultural heritage and scientific advancement.
Australia is a powerhouse of science and research. Our record of discovery and achievement is oversized in comparison to our population. That record began 65,000 years ago with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Australia’s first scientists. Their unbroken connection to the lands, waters and skies of Australia is a source of deep knowledge unique in the world. Our multicultural diversity, geopolitical stability and world-class education sector make Australia one of the world’s leading destinations and collaborators for science and research.
Science and research are essential to Australia’s future economic growth, national interest and social cohesion. It is critical that world-class science and research, focused on the needs of Australian society, thrives in Australia. Science and research underpin the government’s ambition to drive a dynamic economy, provide well paid jobs, improve our quality of life, preserve our unique environment and build a Future Made in Australia.
Science and research will help Australia thrive in a changing world. New discoveries will support Australia’s transition to a net zero economy, as well as how we develop and use digital technologies. Science and research will also help to provide for the needs of an ageing population, protect our environment and help us navigate a complex geopolitical landscape.
By investing in science and research, and promoting collaboration between research organisations and businesses, Australia can improve its economic complexity and position itself as a leader in high-value industries.
– Cooperative Research Australia
The revitalised National Science and Research Priorities (the priorities) will guide Australian science and research efforts. They recognise matters that are important to Australians and how Australia can uniquely contribute to global research. They are challenge-based, overlapping, and cut across discipline, sector and knowledge system boundaries.
The priorities will help the Australian Government align its effort and investments in the science, research, technology, innovation and commercialisation system. The priorities will also help to shape investment and efforts across the university and private sectors. They provide focal points towards which researchers from across research and innovation can concentrate their combined efforts to help solve Australia’s greatest challenges.
The priorities are relevant not only to university and government research institution activity, but also in Australia’s industries and businesses, which must be encouraged to look to the priorities as a first indication of how to diversify their R&D.
– Group of Eight universities
The priorities are:
The overlapping nature of the National Science and Research Priorities.
The 5 national science and research priorities are transitioning to a net zero future, supporting healthy and thriving communities, elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems, protecting and restoring Australia’s environment, and building a secure and resilient nation.
The figure illustrates how each priority crosses over with priorities, as solutions found under one priority can also be applied to other priorities. For example, protecting and restoring our environment will also assist with the transition to a net zero future. Elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems overlaps all priorities and is central to the figure, as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge can contribute to the other priorities.
Each priority includes outcomes to work towards in the next 10 years. We have also identified critical research needed in the next 5 to 10 years to achieve these outcomes.
Science and research will help Australia take the technological leaps needed to achieve a net zero economy by 2050, with emissions levels 43% below 2005 levels by 2030. We will develop and use new technologies, materials and processes to change energy generation and storage, heavy industries and agriculture. Australia will transition to a circular economy, turning waste into opportunity. Australia’s workforces will develop the skills they need to do the jobs of the future, including through a strong vocational and higher education system.
Decarbonising Australia’s energy system is a significant challenge and urgent action is required on multiple fronts … Timing is critical and driving innovation through increased science and research will be key.
– Future Energy Exports Cooperative Research Centre
Almost every societal challenge has at its core the requirement for new, advanced materials to meet that challenge.
– Monash University
To get where we want to be, we need science and research to work towards these outcomes:
To achieve these outcomes, we need research that addresses:
Scientists and researchers will work with communities and individuals to develop the technologies, tools and techniques for more Australians to enjoy healthier lives from birth well into old age. New treatments, medicines and therapies will help the healthcare system to better adapt to and support our ageing population. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander concepts of ‘healthy Country, healthy community’ can play a role in achieving this vision. Australia’s healthier population will reduce pressure on our health and aged care systems and benefit our economy. Australians with disabilities will benefit from advanced technologies and societal supports.
Science can help to improve health outcomes through research and development of new medicines, treatments, and technologies.
– Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia
There are opportunities to leverage Australian research strength in health and biotechnology, move towards more preventative healthcare, and improve patient education.
– Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering
To get where we want to be, we need science and research to work towards these outcomes:
To achieve these outcomes, we need research that addresses:
Australia celebrates the deep history and knowledge systems embedded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and Countries. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples well-established and sophisticated systems for trading knowledge are preserved.
The science and research system will evolve to protect and elevate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges. It will build practices that can weave in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges. It will position Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to lead research that affects them – as community leaders, traditional knowledge holders or researchers.
Indigenous and Western scientists provide diverse and often complementary approaches to knowledge gathering and interpretation of the natural environment. Yet to date, there have been few opportunities for Indigenous scientists to work with Western scientists and have their knowledge seen as equal. This acknowledgment and interaction would allow both to understand each other’s knowledge systems and methodologies and to share them, benefitting the scientific community more broadly, and Australia.
– Professor Bradley J. Moggridge
Australia can take a leadership role in the recognition, valuing and advancement of Indigenous Knowledge systems.
– Professor Barry Judd
To get where we want to be, we need the science and research system to work towards these outcomes:
To achieve these outcomes, we need research that addresses:
To achieve the best outcomes, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should guide research.
Supporting leadership means supporting Aboriginal and Torres Islander people to thrive through the education system – from early learning through to research careers.
We will harness the potential of Australia’s science and research system to protect our unique environments from the impacts of climate change and other threats. Australia will use advances in knowledge and techniques to monitor, restore and preserve biodiversity, landscapes and ecosystems. Genuine and appropriate partnerships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, scientists and researchers will improve Australia’s protection and management efforts. A rich biodiverse environment will support thriving healthy communities and our transition to net zero.
Science can help to understand the impacts of climate change on natural systems and develop adaptation strategies to minimise their effects.
– Ecological Society of Australia
It is increasingly widely recognised that historical approaches to protection and restoration will not be adequate to halt or reverse biodiversity decline in Australia or worldwide.
– Australian Marine Sciences Association
To get where we want to be, we need science and research to work towards these outcomes:
To achieve these outcomes, we need research that addresses:
Through research, Australia will strengthen its democratic institutions and freedoms while addressing challenges from foreign interference, mis- and disinformation, and polarisation. Australia is ready for and able to respond to shocks caused by climate change, natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, rapid technology changes and more competition for resources and supply chains.
Disaster preparedness and resilience requires interdisciplinary research and interventions to reduce risk of mortality, damage to critical infrastructure, and economic loss.
– Australian National University
Australians must be enabled to make use of new and emerging technologies, navigate the deluge of new information, counter misinformation, and critically assess risks and opportunities.
– Inspiring Australia State & Territory Networks
To get where we want to be, we need science and research to work towards these outcomes:
To achieve these outcomes, we need research that addresses:
These priorities align with 7 principles the government set to guide their development.
The first phase of the national conversation received 313 written submissions from people and organisations.
Australia’s Chief Scientist engaged with the community, research, and industry sectors at more than 30 roundtables across the country and online. A further 23 workshops helped us refine the draft priorities.
The second phase of consultation invited feedback on draft priorities and input to inform the statement. It received more than 170 written submissions.
The community-informed priorities identify the major challenges and opportunities Australia will face now and in the coming decades. They show industry and the research sector the direction we must take over the next decade to have a meaningful impact.
The priorities were informed by:
The outcomes have a time horizon of 10 years. Critical research has a time horizon of 5 to 10 years, which we can adjust in response to new information.
A review of the priorities will occur every 5 years to:
The 5 priorities reflect the major societal domains with the biggest challenges and opportunities.
The outcomes identify the areas of each priority where science and research can contribute significant knowledge.
The critical research identifies major knowledge gaps we need to address for maximum impact and societal benefit.
The priorities will help guide government policy and investment in science and research. However, they are not the only way of doing this.
Download a copy of the priorities as a PDF.
We supported Australia’s Chief Scientist to engage Australians in a national conversation to inform the government’s refreshed science statement and priorities.
Read about our consultation with the public.
The research sector, industry, not-for-profits, communities and government organisations contributed more than 1,300 hours to shape and refine these priorities in workshops and meetings. This does not count the time devoted to considering and writing submissions and other feedback.
The Australian Government thanks everyone who has taken the time and effort to engage in the national conversation, from written submissions to roundtables and workshops.
