National security and the economy

Safeguarding our nation, powering prosperity and enhancing industry through science and innovation.

Our focus

The Academy is a vital nexus between the research sector and government and industry, facilitating dialogue, and balancing knowledge creation with security and economic opportunity.

We provide expert advice on national security matters that intersect with Australia’s research effort. We are also strengthen Australia’s scientific diplomacy architecture, promoting global scientific cooperation in Australia’s national interest.

Related submissions

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State or Territory Government

Submission – Inquiry into data centres

If data centres are to continue to be built on Australian shores, using Australian power, water and land, they must be delivering value back into the communities they are joining.

Published on 09 April 2026

Parliamentary Committee inquiry

Submission – Productivity in Australia

The Academy recommends increasing investment in R&D and STEM to boost productivity, competitiveness and innovation – addressing the chronic underinvestment of the past decade and strategic gaps.

Published on 13 March 2026

Parliamentary Committee inquiry

Submission – Inquiry into Funding and Resourcing for the CSIRO

Declining R&D investment places CSIRO and key research infrastructure at risk. Australia needs sustained, evidence-based funding to support national capability and interests.

Published on 04 February 2026

Commonwealth Government

Submission—2026–27 Pre-Budget submission

The 2026–27 Budget must begin long‑term reinvestment in R&D, supercomputing and scientific talent.

Published on 30 January 2026

Commonwealth Government

Joint submission—A national strategy for indoor air quality

Health and science organisations urge the Government to fund a national indoor air quality strategy and advisory council in the 2026–27 Budget.

Published on 30 January 2026

Related publications

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Indoor air: The science of indoor air and pathways to improve indoor air quality in Australia

Poor indoor air quality harms health and productivity, and Australia needs urgent action through monitoring, reporting, and enforceable standards to ensure clean indoor air.

Published on 05 November 2025

Indoor air: the science of indoor air and pathways to improve indoor air quality in Australia

Australian science, Australia's future: Science 2035

An investigation into Australia's future science capability needs reveals eight key areas with projected gaps.

Published on 04 September 2025

Australian science, Australia's future: Science 2035. Where do we want to be?

Issues paper: Incentivising business investment in R&D

The Australian Academy of Science is calling for an urgent national conversation on research and development investment in Australia.

Published on 24 July 2025

Bringing Australia's supercomputing up to speed

The Academy calls for strategic planning and targeted investment in next-generation high-performance computing and data (HPCD) infrastructure, including exascale computing – an essential capability of all modern economies.

Published on 18 February 2025

Bringing Australia's supercomputing up to speed – Facts sheet

International scientific collaborations in a contested world: Summary of the National Symposium, November 2023

Exploring the role of science in an uncertain geopolitical landscape.

Published on 20 December 2024

International Scientific Collaborations in a Contested World: Summary of the national symposium, November 2023

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Supercomputing investment welcomed but long-term certainty for research infrastructure needed

Facilities for climate modelling, coastal monitoring and advanced computing are essential parts of the nation’s decision-making machinery.

29 May 2026

A starting point, not a solution: The 2026–27 Budget for Australian science

The Academy’s analysis of the 2026–27 Budget highlights first steps to reform Australia’s ailing R&D system, but measures won’t shift the dial on years of underinvestment.

18 May 2026

A woman sits on a couch surrounded by hands proffering laptops, phones, tablets and a megaphone. She appears overwhelmed and has her hands covering her ears.

The science of resilience: New insights on tackling mis- and disinformation

Investing in our physical and mental health is also an investment in our collective ability to resist harmful information, a new report reveals.

02 April 2026

Message from the President: March 2026

This month, the Academy welcomed the Australian Government’s 'Ambitious Australia' report, the most comprehensive examination of Australia's research and innovation system in decades.

31 March 2026

Academy Chief Executive on the 'Ambitious Australia' report

The report provides a clear-eyed assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the current system – and importantly, it provides a coherent roadmap forward.

17 March 2026

Related projects

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Aerial Shine Dome May 2015 Credit Adi Chopra

Current

Incentivising business investment in R&D

The Australian Academy of Science is calling for an urgent national conversation on R&D investment in Australia.