Australia has fallen dangerously behind the world.
The reality is stark: Australia is in decline compared to our international peers. Our investment in our science system is going backwards, weakening its foundations and limiting our future potential. If we continue down this path, we risk long-term damage that will take generations to repair. We risk losing an entire generation of brilliant young minds and forfeit decades of progress.
Australians are among the world’s greatest supporters of science. We rank equal fifth globally for trust in scientists and 91% of us actively seek out news of scientific discovery. Public confidence in science has been strong and consistent for more than a decade.
Yet despite such widespread public support, Australian science is in serious trouble. The Academy's landmark review of Australian science capability – Australian Science, Australia's Future – identified significant gaps in skills, in infrastructure and in investment, that our current policy settings cannot fill. The question is no longer whether Australia needs to act – it's when and how.
Underinvestment means we are now well below the OECD average.
R&D investment is measured as a share of a country’s GDP. On this measure, Australia has fallen dangerously behind the world. Our investment in R&D is 1.69% of GDP, compared to the OECD average of 2.72%.
This hasn’t happened overnight. Years of declining and inconsistent funding has left us at risk.
Government and business have a shared responsibility for science investment.
Strong science systems are built on investment from both government and business.
Restoring science investment is a shared national responsibility – because the industries, jobs and innovations it creates benefit everyone.
Restore our science. Secure our future.
The solution is not radical – it is responsible. Every dollar invested in public R&D returns around seven dollars to the economy. This is not a cost. It is one of the best investments a government can make. Restoring Australia's science system means recognising basic research as the foundation for all innovation, ensuring sustained and coordinated investment across government, industry and institutions, and treating science as the national asset it is. Everyone benefits. Everyone has a role.
Why this matters for all Australians
Science isn’t removed from everyday life - it shows up in your energy bill, your GP visit, the food on your table and the job opportunities open to your children. When Australia underinvests in science, we don't just fall down a league table. We lose the ability to solve our own problems, in our own conditions, on our own terms.
By investing in our science system:
- We get access to cheaper, smarter, more resilient building technologies developed in Australia
- We can tackle our uniquely Australian environmental and climate challenges faster, using local tools for local conditions
- We strengthen Australia's food security, developing resilient crops and farming systems suited to our soils, droughts and extreme weather
- Our energy bills drop sooner driven by Australian advances in renewables, storage and efficiency
- We keep our scientific talent, with strong local careers that stop brain‑drain
- Young Australians gain real STEM opportunities, building industries and jobs of the future.
Restoring investment is vital but not sufficient.
Australian science also needs strong governance and genuine partnership between government, research institutions and industry to ensure the investment actually delivers. The reforms set out in the Government's Ambitious Australia framework provide the right blueprint – what's needed now is the sustained commitment to see them through.
