The 10-Year Science and Technology Plan is an opportunity to coalesce the Western Australian research sector behind a single coordinated mission, providing a roadmap for making Western Australia a research powerhouse within ten years. Western Australian researchers have long struggled with the disadvantages that the tyranny of distance has had on their funding opportunities and their careers. Over the last 22 years, just 6.3% of all Australian Research Council Funding has gone to Western Australia (Australian Research Council, n.d.) – well below what should be expected given the size of WA’s population (10.8% of the nation’s population (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2023)). Nonetheless, as the case studies included in this submission show, Western Australian scientists, engineers and researchers are producing world-class research that needs to be supported, applied and celebrated.
This plan can develop a strategic approach, that invests in research where Western Australia has a competitive advantage or solves the state’s most pressing problems. This will need to involve a scaling up of assistance throughout its development – including the “valley of death” stage between research and commercialisation – and should feed into the national Science and Research Priorities where possible. A skilled workforce will be essential to both conduct this research, and the make the most of its opportunities. Taking a lifelong learning approach, that supports workers from school through to the end of their careers, will help ensure WA has the people and skills it needs to be a science and technology powerhouse.
ATSE makes the following recommendations to build an effective science, technology and research sector that meets the needs of Western Australians:
Recommendation 1: Establish an independent Western Australian Science and Technology Council of experts to guide priorities, guide the implementation of the Science and Technology Plan and, where necessary, provide advice to the government on managing changing circumstances.
Recommendation 2: Implement a targeted Breakthrough fund, based on the Victorian model, focused on areas where Western Australia has a competitive advantage.
Recommendation 3: Co-fund, and provide administrative support for, the establishment of Collaborative Research Centres (CRCs) in Western Australia for identified priority areas.
Recommendation 4: Establish innovation hubs for identified priority research areas that co-locate industry and academic researchers.
Recommendation 5: Utilise purchasing power from government departments and agencies to support early adoption of emerging local technologies.
Recommendation 6: Support job and visa availability to attract the best and brightest to the state, including enabling research graduates to remain in Western Australia post-graduation.
Recommendation 7: Develop a near-miss grants scheme to help good ideas get the funding they need to continue until further grants are awarded.
Recommendation 8: Support diversity in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics workforce through study support for diverse students and lifelong learning through a greater variety of learning options including micro credentials.