The State of Australian Quantum Report gives an update on implementation of the strategy. This report:
- showcases the successes of Australian quantum researchers and businesses over the past year
- discusses challenges to address
- highlights the work underway across the Australian Government and state and territory governments to grow the national quantum sector
- gives an update on the strategy’s measures of success, and
- signals next steps for the strategy.
In one year Australia’s quantum initiatives have grown significantly
Since the launch of the strategy, we have seen major government investments and initiatives support the growth of the quantum sector, including the:
- joint Australian and Queensland Government investment of $940 million in PsiQuantum to build its first utility-scale fault-tolerant quantum computer in Brisbane, locate its Asia-Pacific headquarters and support a range of local research and industry collaborations
- establishment of the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF), allocating $1 billion for investment in critical technologies such as quantum
- $18.4 million investment in Quantum Australia, a national initiative delivered by a consortium of industry, research and government organisations. Quantum Australia will promote industry growth, support collaborative research and strengthen Australia’s position as a global quantum leader
- first round of the $36 million Critical Technologies Challenge Program (CTCP). The CTCP supports Australian quantum businesses to work with researchers and end users to develop innovative solutions to challenges of national significance launched.
Meanwhile, quantum businesses have announced technology roadmaps, achieved milestones, completed successful capital raising rounds, and forged relationships with multinational technology businesses.
The public profile of quantum technologies has also been building. Since the launch of the strategy in May 2023, several public events have drawn attention to quantum technologies:
- In 2023, Professor Michelle Simmons AO was awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science for creating the field of atomic electronics, and for her discoveries in silicon quantum computing which are powering the world from the digital age to the quantum age.
- Dr Andrew Horsley won the Prime Minister’s Prize for New Innovators in 2024 in recognition of his groundbreaking work on making quantum computing an everyday technology.
- Events like the Quantum Australia conference and the Quantum Meets series helped connect the quantum sector to the wider community.
- Events like the Quantum Tech Camp, hosted by Sydney Quantum Academy (SQA) and Quantum Girls, hosted by the University of Western Australia promoted careers in the quantum industry.
There is more to do to grow Australia’s quantum sector
To further unlock the growth of the quantum industry and adoption of quantum technologies, priority areas for further work include addressing:
- access to patient, trusted capital
- intellectual property arrangements inhibiting commercialisation of quantum technologies
- competition from other quantum markets for talent and investment
- low levels of awareness of quantum technology in the broader community.
Around the world, governments are realising the potential of quantum technologies and Australia can’t be left behind. The themes and actions of the strategy, along with complementary initiatives across government, seek to address obstacles on the path to achieving Australia’s quantum vision.
Quantum is a whole-of-nation effort
The policy levers, regulatory responsibilities and funding needed to deliver the strategy sit across many Australian Government departments. In addition to direct funding initiatives, quantum technologies have become a priority in major Australian Government programs, including the:
- Advanced Strategic Capability Accelerator (ASCA)
- Australia’s Economic Accelerator program (AEA)
- Cooperative Research Centre – Projects program (CRC-P)
- Industry Growth Program (IGP).
Quantum researchers also continue to receive funding from longstanding programs, such as the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage and Discovery programs. Quantum academics have been awarded prestigious ARC Laureate Fellowships and we have seen investment in the establishment of new initiatives supporting quantum research and training, including:
- the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Biotechnology
- the ARC Centre of Excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science
- new ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres for future leaders in quantum computing at the University of Sydney, and for emergent quantum technologies at the University of Adelaide.
The Australian Government is continuing to align effort and initiatives to support the implementation of the strategy.
State and territory governments have been at the forefront of building Australia’s quantum industry for years. This includes major investments in quantum companies, new facilities and infrastructure, as well as state strategies to capture the benefits of quantum technologies. States and territories are growing areas of local competitive advantage which build the capability of the entire nation.
International collaboration generates new opportunities for Australia
Australia has been working closely with international partners through bilateral relationships, multilateral arrangements and standards setting bodies. Major developments include:
- the establishment of the Quantum Development Group (QDG), to promote resilient and reliable supply chains, research and development collaboration and a quantum future underpinned by shared interests and values
- signing Joint Statements of Cooperation on Quantum Technologies with the United States and United Kingdom to enhance each country’s capabilities through improved market access and knowledge sharing
- engagement with the Multilateral Dialogue on Quantum (MDQ) to coordinate international quantum efforts
- the establishment of the Quad Investors Network Centre of Excellence in Quantum Information Sciences to drive greater collaboration and market access between Australia, the United States, Japan and India
- the establishment of the Joint Technical Committee on Quantum Technologies to improve coordination of technical standards, reduce duplication and to help make best use of the expert resources around the globe.
This is just the beginning
Since the launch of the strategy, we have seen strong progress against its priorities, with positive collaboration across government, industry and research, but there is still more to be done. In addition to continuing to deliver existing initiatives, the next stage of the strategy’s implementation will focus on:
- building Australia’s quantum workforce
- the infrastructure needed by quantum academics and businesses to support research commercialisation
- understanding Australia’s quantum supply chain to identify potential vulnerabilities and opportunities.
