Australia’s national scientific agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), is poised to cut up to 350 research roles starting next year. The move is part of a broader strategy to address budgetary shortfalls by seeking savings and new funding sources. This announcement was made during a town hall meeting on Tuesday, where CSIRO leaders outlined the challenging times ahead.
The anticipated job cuts, ranging from 300 to 350 positions, add to previous reductions earlier this year and planned for 2024. The CSIRO has also indicated a need for an annual investment of between $80 million and $135 million to renovate its aging property portfolio, with approximately 80% of its 800 buildings nearing the end of their life cycles.
In a statement, CSIRO’s Chief Executive, Doug Hilton, emphasized that these changes aim to position the organization for future decades with a refined research focus. Hilton stated, “The changes will capitalize on our unique strengths, allow us to concentrate on the profound challenges we face as a nation, and deliver solutions at scale.”
Impact on Research Areas
Hilton informed staff that the agency would prioritize certain research areas while deprioritizing others, aligning with an updated statement of expectations from Federal Science Minister Tim Ayres. The research areas affected by the latest round of job losses are expected to include health and biosecurity, agriculture and food, and environment research units.
The CSIRO Staff Association Secretary, Susan Tonks, expressed deep concern over the cuts, calling it “a very sad day for publicly funded science in this country.” She criticized the Albanese government, stating that these cuts surpass those made under the Coalition government of Tony Abbott.
“They are now responsible for cuts to public science that exceed the Abbott government – cuts current Labor MPs rightly slammed at the time,” Tonks said.
Government and Political Reactions
Minister Ayres acknowledged the difficulty of reprioritization but argued it is necessary to keep the CSIRO fit-for-purpose. He stated, “Reform is essential to ensure the facilities, research priorities, and technologies of yesterday meet the needs of tomorrow.” Ayres highlighted that this review, the first in over 15 years, would enable CSIRO to exit or scale back research in areas where other parts of the R&D system are already active.
ACT Senator David Pocock described the announcement as “incredibly disappointing,” emphasizing the need for government investment in science to tackle future challenges like climate change and technological advancements.
“Australia can’t build a prosperous future on managed decline in our scientists and researchers,” Pocock said.
Broader Implications for the Research Community
The Greens’ spokesperson for science, Peter Whish-Wilson, has requested an urgent briefing on the cuts, demanding an explanation from the minister on how the CSIRO ended up in this predicament. He noted that Australian scientists are already warning of a crisis in Antarctic research due to impending funding issues.
The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) described the news as “disheartening” for the research community and the Australian economy. ATSE President Dr. Katherine Woodthorpe remarked on the ongoing erosion of funding for government research agencies over many years.
“We know that every dollar invested in CSIRO [returns] a three-fold benefit to the economy over time, if you give it the time to do the work that it needs to do,” Woodthorpe said.
Future Directions and Challenges
Ryan Winn, Chief Executive of Science and Technology Australia, stressed the need for greater investment in CSIRO, not less. He highlighted the compounded challenges due to the necessary investment in research infrastructure and technology facilities.
Following an 18-month review, the CSIRO has decided to renew its focus on inventing and deploying technological solutions across six key areas. These include the energy transition, climate change, advanced technologies such as AI, quantum and robotics, farming, biosecurity, and disruptive science and engineering to unlock the unknown.
The announcement comes as Australia grapples with the need to balance immediate fiscal constraints with long-term investments in scientific research and innovation. The CSIRO’s strategic shift reflects broader global trends where research institutions must adapt to rapidly changing technological landscapes and funding environments.
