CSIRO targets ‘Team Australia’ missions for a brighter future

August 14th, 2020

CSIRO is drawing on its 100-year history to develop a missions program and a ‘Team Australia’ approach with partners across science and industry, to support Australia through tough times.

On the centenary of CSIRO’s first mission, to eliminate Prickly Pear, the national science agency this week announced plans to work with the government, universities, industry and the community, on a new missions program to bolster Australia’s COVID-19 recovery and build long term resilience.

CSIRO will direct $100 million annually to the co-creation of missions, working with the brightest minds across the research sector and industry.

The program of large scale, major scientific and collaborative research initiatives, will be aimed at solving some of Australia’s greatest challenges, focused on outcomes that lead to positive impact, new jobs and economic growth.

CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall said the collaboration and goodwill stimulated by the response to COVID-19 can be harnessed and used to accelerate our recovery, create new jobs and stimulate the economy.

“While COVID-19 will undoubtedly continue to disrupt, Australia will come together through this crisis and build a strong future in the process. We are calling for partners to join this Team Australia approach to solving what seem like unsolvable problems,” Dr Marshall said.

Through this missions program CSIRO and partners will help Australia achieve outcomes such as to:

  • Increase our resilience & preparedness against pandemics
  • Mitigate the impact of disasters: drought, bushfires and floods
  • Create a hydrogen industry to generate a new clean energy export industry
  • Accelerate the transition to agile manufacturing for higher revenue and sovereign supply
  • Help our farmers overcome drought, mitigate climate impacts, increase yield and profitability,
  • Use technology to navigate Australia’s transition to net zero emissions,
  • Safeguard the health of our waterways by monitoring the quality of our water resources from space
  • Create new industries that transform raw mineral commodities into unique higher-value products
  • End plastic waste by reinventing the way plastic is made, processed and recycled
  • Double the number of small and medium businesses (SMEs) benefitting from Australian science to become a collaboration nation.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews welcomed CSIRO’s continued commitment to solving real-world problems.

“Science and technology are our greatest tools when it comes to maximising opportunities and addressing the challenges that face Australia at this time of great upheaval,” Minister Andrews said.

“We need to make sure that our scientists and researchers are working collaboratively with industry to solve real world challenges for the benefit of everyday Australians.”

Organisations and institutions interested in learning more about the missions program, or partnering with CSIRO can visit www.csiro.au/missions or contact 1300 363 400.

 A woman in purple looking down in a lab with two men behind her having a conversation. Working together at the Lindfield Collaboration Hub
A silver disk being held by two hands. Scientists working on equipment for hydrogen membrane technology
A man wearing a cap standing outside on a farm, leaning on a post using an ipad. New technologies and innovation to help farmers deliver food security