Science & Technology Australia

Great to see STA member organisation Engineers Australia release its call for the next Federal Government, asking for urgent action to tackle engineering skills and workforce challenges. Engineers Australia’s Federal Election platform contains sensible and achievable steps that can ensure that Australia has the skilled workforce it needs to meet its future engineering challenges, including: * Strengthening the engineering pipeline from school through to skilled migration; * The Government setting a target of 60,000 additional engineering graduates over the next decade; * Creating a new National Chief Engineer role; and * Government implementing the recommendations of the 2024 Pathways to Diversity in STEM report. Engineers and engineering, wherever they work and their discipline are a critical component of our national STEM capability. Without it we can’t build and maintain critical infrastructure, develop the chemicals and biologicals for industry and human health, through to building and launching smart satellites to improve situational awareness for everything from bushfires to precision agriculture. We encourage political parties and candidates in the upcoming Federal Election to consider Engineers Australia’s key asks for Australia’s future government. This will help ensure we can build an Australia built on Australian ideas and expertise.

Applications are now open for Cicada x Tech23, Australia's largest deep tech festival. STA member organisation Cicada Innovations is searching for 23 of Australia's most promising deep tech startups tackling global challenges with ground-breaking science and technology. Get the opportunity to get national recognition and share your critical tech innovation in front of investors, industry leaders, and media. Applications close 30 April.

Good to see James Riley at InnovationAus.com writing about a predicted decline in R&D Tax Incentive (RDTI) payments over the next five years (visible in the recent Budget papers). This story highlights the crucial importance of the Strategic Examination of R&D (SERD). It's essential that Government has the right incentives in place for business to encourage economy-boosting R&D. We need business views in the mix for the review to ensure that that the RDTI is doing the job Australia needs it to do and helping to build a genuine partnership between business, research and Government. The commentary on RDTI continues with interviews by the Australian of Mike Cannon-Brookes - with his company being the single largest recipient of the RDTI in 2020-21 based on ATO data - and follow-up again by James. At Science & Technology Australia, I hear mixed stories, businesses that dont claim as its too complex, questions about why it does not have a premium (either for or both university collaboration and focussed on Government identified research / innovation prrorities), and questions of the appropriateness of various organisations popping up to help businesses to complete RDTI paperwork and then providing "advance" loans on RDTI for a not small fee/cut of the rdti return. But equally, companies wanting no change so that the policy has certainty and stability in an otherwise soup of changing Government policy settings (arguably some good, and others debatable). These all lead to key questions for Robyn Denholm and her expert panel leading the SERD on this policy. Make sure you put in your thoughts into the process, with submission due Friday (11 April), so that it is not an ab-SERD process (sorry could not help the pun) that we all benefit from its ultimate outcomes. RDTI decline: https://lnkd.in/gS3k6dPb Mike Cannon-Brooks: https://lnkd.in/gxjiXGay

🌿 Environmental scientists: Your voice matters! 🌿 As an environmental scientist, your work is crucial in shaping and protecting Australia’s future, and it’s essential that your efforts are supported. Professionals Australia, in partnership with Science & Technology Australia, is conducting the 2025 Scientists’ Remuneration Survey, and we want to hear from you! This is your opportunity to share your experiences on pay, working conditions, and the challenges you face in the sector. Your input will directly contribute to informing policy and advocacy efforts that will impact environmental science across the country. 💬 Complete the survey today and help shape the future of Australia's environmental science workforce! https://lnkd.in/gweVBJiH Let’s advocate for a stronger, more supported environmental science community in Australia. 🌍 #EnvironmentalScience #STEM #ScientistsSurvey #STA #Advocacy #Australia #ProfessionalsAustralia

✨ Huge congratulations to all the incredible researchers recognised today in The Australian Academy of Science honorific awards. https://lnkd.in/g2mcXTcZ The awards celebrate 22 of Australia's leading scientists working to solve humanity's greatest challenges. The superb award recipients this year include 2019 Superstar of STEM Natasha Hurley-Walker, who took out the Nancy Millis Medal. Nominations for next year's honorific awards close on 1 May - find out more and nominate here: https://lnkd.in/gZeTCCXH

As Australia heads into the 2025 Federal Election, we need Australia’s future politicians to commit to take decisive action to strengthen our #STEM workforce. 🗳️ The proposals in STA’s Election Priorities highlight the crucial importance of creating pathways for scientists and technologists, building the workforce we’ll need for the future, and supporting our STEM talent to grow. We need your voice to ensure that STEM policies are prioritised at the national level. Let’s make sure our future innovators have the tools, resources, and support they need to drive Australia’s growth. Explore STA’s full proposal and join us in advocating for a better future for STEM professionals: https://lnkd.in/gbb2Fi8X #STEMPolicy #FederalElection2025 #InnovationForAll #ElectionPriorities

💻 Data analysts, HPC specialists and deep-tech entrepreneurs: We need your input! 💻 How do your pay and conditions compare to others in the STEM sector? Professionals Australia, in partnership with Science & Technology Australia, is conducting the 2025 Scientists’ Remuneration Survey, and your voice is crucial! This is your chance to provide insights on the challenges you face and help shape the future of the tech industry in Australia. The results will directly support efforts to improve pay, working conditions, and the overall landscape for tech professionals. By completing the survey, you’ll be supporting a broader effort to advocate for better outcomes and stronger support for technologists and everyone working in STEM sector jobs across Australia. Please complete the survey today. https://buff.ly/YM95gkK Together, we can ensure a brighter future for the tech community in Australia! #Technology #TechProfessionals #STEMSurvey #STA #Innovation #STEMWorkforce #ProfessionalsAustralia

The newsletter is out! 📰 This time around STA CEO Ryan Winn discusses the upcoming Federal Election, STA's Election Priorities and the STEM sector pay and conditions survey. Plus, we wrap up everything you need about Australian science and technology policy developments. Give it a read and hit subscribe for more!

⚙️ Engineers: Your insights are essential! ⚙️ As an engineer, your work is central to Australia’s innovation, and it’s important that your contributions are properly valued. Professionals Australia, in partnership with Science & Technology Australia, is conducting the 2025 Scientists’ Remuneration Survey, and we need your input! This survey is your opportunity to share your experiences on pay, working conditions, and the unique challenges you face in the engineering sector. Your feedback will directly inform advocacy efforts aimed at improving the professional landscape for engineers across the country. 💬 Complete the survey today and help drive positive change for the future of Australia’s engineering community! https://buff.ly/zaGwNAt Let’s work together to secure better support and recognition for engineers in Australia. #Engineering #STEM #EngineersSurvey #STA #Innovation #STEMWorkforce #ProfessionalsAustralia

We welcome the Australian Research Council (ARC) intention to simplify and streamline the grant funding process and strengthen its role in supporting essential discovery research, but we urge caution around unintended consequences and encourage clear communication from the organisation on the changes ahead. STA President Professor Sharath Sriram is quoted on the proposed changes in this story in The Guardian: https://lnkd.in/g_hZkr8Y We are finalising our response to the ARC’s Discussion Paper: A New Plan for ARC-Funded Research. We encourage STA members to submit their own responses to the discussion paper or get in contact with us to contribute to ours. https://lnkd.in/gEvKKzFx