This budget wrap is a review of the announcements from the Federal Budget papers that relate to creating a Technology Powered, Human Driven Future. Due to the nature of budget papers, some items have been previously announced but have received slightly more funding in the 2022-23 budget.
1. Technology Enabled
Supporting Australian Space Industry
The Government will provide $1.3 billion from 2021-22 (and $38.8 million per year ongoing) to grow the Australian space sector and space manufacturing industry. Funding includes:
- $1.2 billion from 2021-22 (and $38.5 million per year ongoing) to establish a National Space Mission for Earth Observation to secure access to key earth observation data streams, build Australia’s sovereign capability and enter agreements with international partners including for the procurement and operation of Australian Satellite Cross-Calibration Radiometer satellites.
Improving telecommunications
As a response to the 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review the Australian government is investing $811.8 million over five years through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications to expand mobile phone coverage, connectivity, resilience and affordability in regional Australia.
2. Resilient
Cybersecurity
The Government will provide $9.9 billion over 10 years to 2030-31 to the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) to deliver a Resilience, Effects, Defence, Space, Intelligence, Cyber and Enablers package (REDSPICE).
- REDSPICE will triple ASD’s offensive cyber capabilities and double its cyber hunt and response activities, preserving ASD’s capability edge and delivering strategic advantage for Australia over the coming decade and beyond.
- REDSPICE will offer significant opportunities for Australian industry and support new employment pathways through partnerships with educational institutions, particularly in the areas of data science and analysis, artificial intelligence, cyber security and ICT engineering.
- The cost of this measure will be partially offset from the Defence Integrated Investment Program.
3. Sustainable
Strengthening the Great Barrier Reef
The Government will provide an additional $1 billion over nine years from 2021-22 to strengthen Australia’s stewardship and leadership in the protection of the Great Barrier Reef (the Reef). Funding includes:
- $579.9 million over nine years from 2021-22 to improve the water quality of the Reef, including working with land managers to reduce nutrient and pesticide run-off and to remediate eroding gullies and streambanks
- $252.9 million over nine years from 2021-22 for targeted activities that improve the sustainable management and protection of reef ecosystems Agriculture, Water and the Environment
- $95.6 million over nine years from 2021-22 to enhance leadership and research and development of resilience and adaptation strategies for the Reef
- $74.4 million over nine years from 2021-22 to strengthen partnerships with Traditional Owners to undertake on-ground projects and support data validation of high priority fishing areas.
4. Decarbonised
Energy and Emissions Reductions
The Government will provide a further $395.8 million over five years from 2021-22 to increase energy security, maintain affordable and reliable power for households and businesses and reduce the cost of deploying low emissions technologies, consistent with Australia’s Long Term Emissions Reduction Plan. Funding includes:
- $247.1 million over five years from 2021-22 (and $0.3 million per year ongoing) to support increased private sector investment in low emissions technologies including hydrogen, the continued development of a hydrogen Guarantee of Origin scheme, and the development of a Biodiversity Stewardship Trading Platform to support farmers to undertake biodiversity activities ahead of the introduction of a voluntary biodiversity stewardship market
- $148.6 million over five years from 2022-23 to support more investment in affordable and reliable power, including the development of community microgrid projects in regional and rural Australia
5. Diversified economy
Expansion of the Patent Box
The Government will expand the Patent Box, announced in the 2021-22 Budget and currently before Parliament, to support practical, technology-focused innovations in the Australian agricultural and green energy sector. This Patent Box will apply to:
- Eligible patents linked to agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemical products listed on the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), PubCRIS (Public Chemicals Registration Information System) register, or eligible Plant Breeder’s Rights (PBRs)
- Low emissions technology, as set out in the 140 technology areas listed in the Government’s 2020 Technology and Investment Roadmap Discussion Paper or included as priority technologies in the Government’s 2021 and future annual Low Emissions Technology Statements will be within scope, provided the patented technology is considered to reduce emissions.
Enabling CSIRO’s ON initiative
$37.4 million over four years from 2022-23 to establish CSIRO’s Research Translation Start program to take research from the lab into the market by building the entrepreneurial capacity of the research workforce with a focus on the National Manufacturing Priorities. This initiative builds on the previously announced University Research Commercialisation Action Plan.
6. Internationally engaged
Continued engagement in the Antarctic Treaty System
$3.5 million over five years from 2021-22 to enhance Australia’s international engagement within the Antarctic Treaty System and promote Australia’s leadership in Antarctic affairs, with costs to be met from within the existing resources of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. (Previously announced on February 22 2022)
Extension of the Global Business, Talent and Investment Attraction Taskforce (now called Global Australia Taskforce)
The Government will provide $19.5 million over two years from 2022-23 to continue the Global Business, Talent and Investment Taskforce, as the renamed Global Australia Taskforce, to attract talented individuals and international investment to Australia.
Support for National Measurement Institute to support international trade
$33.4 million over two years from 2021-22 (including $14.4 million in capital funding) to the National Measurement Institute to deliver essential measurement standards and services that underpin business continuity and international trade.
International Space Investment
$3 million in 2022-23 to extend the International Space Investment initiative and continue building relationships with international space agencies.
7. Human Centered
Supporting Women into STEM
The Elevate: Boosting Women in STEM program will award up to 500 undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships to women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). ATSE has been named the sole implementing partner for the Australian Government’s 7-year $41.2 million “Boosting the Next Generation of Women in STEM” fund.
Enhancing the STEM sector’s diversity and advice to Government
The Government will provide $12 million over four years from 2021-22 to support science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) advice and sector diversification. Funding includes:
- $5.3 million over two years from 2021-22 to improve the National Science and Technology Council’s provision of science and technology advice to the Government and to continue support of the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science event
- $4.7 million over four years from 2022-23 to continue support for the Women in STEM Ambassador initiative and the Future You national digital awareness-raising initiative
- $2.0 million over four years from 2021-22 to extend the Superstars of STEM program to continue raising the profile of Australian women in STEM and inspire the next generation. Partial funding for this measure has already been provided for by the Government.
Implementing the recommendations from the Quality Initial Teacher Education Review
The Government will provide $228.5 million over five years from 2021-22 (and $1.3 million per year ongoing) to implement recommendations from the Next Steps: Report of the Quality Initial Teacher Education Review to attract suitable people to teaching and increase the quality of their preparation and introduction to the profession, and for initiatives to improve education outcomes for students, particularly in regional and remote areas. Funding includes:
- $62.4 million over two years from 2022-23 to extend the National Schools Reform Fund and Non-Government Support Reform Fund to support national educational reforms in the schools sector
- $29.4 million over four years from 2022-23 to extend the Indigenous Boarding Schools Grants program for one year and establish a Commonwealth Regional Scholarship Program to assist families with the costs of boarding
- $10.4 million in 2021-22 to expand the Emerging Priorities Program for projects that assist school communities to respond to emerging priorities in school education, including recovery from COVID-19
- $7.2 million over four years from 2021-22 for a range of integrated measures to support teachers and school leaders to lift student performance, address disruptive behaviour and improve student engagement $6.4 million over 5 years from 2021-22 (and $1.3 million per year ongoing) to establish the Initial Teacher Education Quality Assessment Expert Panel to develop a new performance framework for assessing the delivery of quality initial teacher education courses by higher education providers
- $6.3 million in 2022-23 to support the construction of a purpose-built boarding facility in Tennant Creek to provide accessible housing for secondary school children under the Barkly Regional Deal
- $6.1 million over five years from 2022-23 to provide Life Education Australia with funding to develop additional education modules on online safety, mental health, and wellbeing and respectful relationships.