One in five staff members in the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)’s environmental research unit are set to lose their jobs as the agency plans to cut up to 350 roles next year. The embattled agency confirmed that between 130 and 150 full-time equivalent roles would be eliminated from the unit, which conducts critical research on climate change, pollution, and resource management.
The announcement comes as the CSIRO faces increasing pressure to align its research priorities with sectors such as technology, mining, agriculture, and manufacturing. This shift has sparked concern among staff and lawmakers who fear the move could undermine vital environmental research efforts.
Impact on Environmental Research
The CSIRO’s decision to downsize its environmental research unit has been met with significant backlash. “We are exiting research where we lack scale to achieve significant impact, or areas where others in the sector are better placed to deliver,” a CSIRO spokesperson explained. The agency aims to reshape its research portfolio to integrate science across disciplines, addressing national challenges more effectively within available funding.
However, staff members are worried about the long-term consequences of this decision. “My concern is the short-sightedness of this decision,” one employee expressed in an email to ACT Independent Senator David Pocock. “Apparently we are now focusing on money generation… To cut the little we do to invest specifically in environmental programs is shocking.”
Political Reactions and Concerns
Greens science spokesperson Peter Whish-Wilson voiced his apprehension, stating he was “deeply concerned” that the CSIRO’s planned cuts would “disproportionately impact public good science.” He emphasized the global significance of the work conducted by CSIRO scientists, particularly in areas like climate, environment, and oceans research.
“Scientists at the CSIRO have been under pressure for years to find revenues to justify their work,” Senator Whish-Wilson said. “Now is the time to increase our capacity in environmental research – not withdraw from it.”
Senator Pocock echoed these sentiments, questioning how anyone in 2025 could argue that the environment is not a national science priority. He called for the Science Minister to advocate for increased investment in science, highlighting that current funding levels are at record lows as a percentage of GDP and per capita.
Funding Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite the planned cuts, the Albanese government is reportedly preparing to allocate more than $100 million in additional funding for the CSIRO in its upcoming mid-year budget update. However, it remains unclear whether this financial boost will alter the agency’s course regarding the job cuts.
An analysis by the Parliamentary Library revealed that the CSIRO’s Commonwealth funding decreased by 7 percent in real terms during the first two financial years of the Albanese administration. The CSIRO spokesperson noted that the agency, which receives about $1 billion annually in base funding from the government, needs to invest “between $80 million and $135 million per annum over the next 10 years into essential infrastructure and technology.”
The spokesperson added, “We are actively engaging with staff and stakeholders to determine the best approach while maintaining national leadership in freshwater, marine, climate and adaptation science, and social sciences.”
Looking Ahead
The CSIRO’s decision to cut jobs in its environmental research unit highlights the ongoing tension between economic priorities and environmental stewardship. As the agency navigates these changes, the broader implications for Australia’s scientific community and its ability to address pressing environmental challenges remain uncertain.
With political and public scrutiny intensifying, the CSIRO’s leadership faces the daunting task of balancing fiscal responsibility with the need to sustain and advance critical environmental research. How this balance is achieved will likely shape the future of scientific inquiry and environmental policy in Australia for years to come.
