The Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) has welcomed the release of a major review into Australia’s research and development system, while urging the federal government to focus on effective implementation to ensure long-term benefits for the economy.
In a statement, ATSE said the Strategic Examination of Research and Development (SERD), released by Minister for Industry and Science Tim Ayres, outlines an ambitious blueprint for strengthening Australia’s innovation system and supporting a more productive and advanced economy.
The report identifies a range of priorities, including improving national coordination through a proposed National Innovation Council, addressing declines in research investment, providing better support for the indirect costs of research, and ensuring sustainable funding for research infrastructure.
It also highlights the need to increase PhD stipends in priority areas and encourage stronger industry investment through reforms to the Research and Development Tax Incentive.
ATSE said the report aligns with several of its own recommendations, particularly in recognising the importance of national capability in high-performance computing and advanced graphics processing unit resources, which it has previously identified as critical to Australia’s sovereign capability in artificial intelligence.
ATSE President Dr Cathy Foley said the review underscores the role of research and development in driving economic success.
“We know that economically successful countries invest heavily in R&D, and connect research capabilities to industry growth,” she said.
She noted that while Australia has a strong research base, translating that into economic outcomes remains a challenge. “Australia produces excellent research – but we’ve often struggled to translate that strength into new industries and productivity,” Foley said.
ATSE said careful implementation of the report’s recommendations would be essential to ensure reforms improve coordination and do not add unnecessary complexity to the system.
“The direction set out in the SERD report is important – and now the real work begins in implementing it,” Foley said. “We need to make sure that the proposed reforms strengthen coordination and focus, rather than adding new layers of complexity to an already complicated system.”
The academy also called for continued emphasis on independent scientific advice, urging the government to maintain and elevate the role of the Office of the Chief Scientist in informing decision-making at the highest levels.
While supporting a more targeted and solutions-focused approach to applied research, ATSE said foundational research capability must remain a priority to sustain long-term innovation.
“The SERD is a statement that the STEM sector is core to the function of the rest of the economy – and that sector is ready to grow,” Foley said.
ATSE said it looks forward to working with government, industry and the research community as the recommendations are considered, with the aim of delivering a stronger and more effective national innovation system.
