The Albanese Government is strengthening Australia's defence innovation ecosystem through the establishment of the nation's first Defence Research Centre, bringing together Defence, industry, universities and research organisations to accelerate research and technology development for national security.
Announced as a key initiative under the 2024 Defence Innovation, Science and Technology Strategy, Defence Research Centres are a new national partnership model designed to build sovereign research capability and accelerate collaboration across Australia's research, industry and Defence sectors.
The centres will operate in secure research environments, helping translate Australian research into practical Defence outcomes while growing the nation's research and development base and strengthening Australia's sovereign defence innovation ecosystem.
A competitive process will now commence to select the lead partner responsible for establishing and operating the inaugural Defence Research Centre. The process will bring together partners from across Australia's research, industry and innovation sectors and identify projects aligned with Defence priorities.
The Operational Energy Transitions Defence Research Centre is the first of two Defence Research Centres planned for 2025-26 and represents a significant investment in Australia's sovereign research capability, helping connect Defence with the nation's leading researchers and innovators to solve future capability challenges.
Quotes attributable to Defence spokesperson:
"The Defence Research Centre program is a significant step in strengthening Australia's sovereign research and innovation capability.
"By bringing together Defence, universities, research organisations and industry, we are creating a new national partnership model to help solve some of Defence's most complex capability challenges.
"Australia has world-class researchers and innovators, and these centres will help connect that expertise with Defence priorities and accelerate the translation of Australian research into real-world capability outcomes.
"Defence Research Centres will provide secure environments for collaboration, helping to grow our national research and development base while strengthening Australia's defence innovation ecosystem.
"The inaugural Defence Research Centre is an important first step in a broader program that will deepen collaboration across Defence, industry and academia, and support the development of the next generation of technologies for the Australian Defence Force."
