In June this year the Federal Treasurer said the government has "an obligation to future generations to deliver a better standard of living than we enjoy today."
But does Australia have the science capability we need to meet the challenges facing the nation? The latest Intergenerational Report lists them: technological transformation; demographic change; and climate change, decarbonisation and environment.
An investigation by the Australian Academy of Science into Australia's scientific capability needs by 2035 has found we have gaps - in workforce, infrastructure and coordination - that will cripple our ability to meet the challenges of 2060.
The Academy's report 'Australian Science, Australia's Future: Science 2035' examines the capability of Australia's science system, its ability to compete and collaborate globally, and its contribution to the nation's economy, security, health and quality of life.
Professor Ian Chubb AC, Chair of the report's advisory panel, said the report is both a comprehensive, evidence-based effort to assess national science workforce capability against future needs, and an alarm.
"Since 1945, three-quarters of all global economic growth has been driven by technological advance, and since 1990, ninety per cent of that advance has been rooted in fundamental science," Professor Chubb said.
"And yet, after decades of declining investment, Australia is facing a collapsing pipeline of STEM skills in the community and workforce essential for the nation's future.
"Simply put, our sovereign capacity to innovate and respond to emerging challenges all clearly outlined in the Intergenerational Report of 2023 is undermined."
The Academy's report identifies eight key science areas where there are projected to be gaps in capability and that will be most in demand by 2035: agricultural science, AI, biotechnology, climate science, data science, epidemiology, geoscience, and materials science.
"For the first time, we have a map of what needs to be done, backed by evidence, and no excuse to do nothing because now we know," Professor Chubb said.
The Academy's analysis found:
- We aren't training enough geoscientists, yet our economy rests heavily on resources, and 'Critical Minerals' is a priority of the National Reconstruction Fund.
- Jobs in artificial intelligence (AI) are expected to surge, yet only one in four Year 12 students is studying mathematics - the fundamental science discipline.
- We're facing national shortages of materials scientists, and the workforce in process and resources engineering is also projected to decline.
- The current pipeline and study choices of students is not aligned with the needs of our future workforce, with declining STEM participation and teacher shortages threatening relevant capability.
The Academy thanks advisory panel members and other stakeholders for their contributions to the report and looks forward to working with decision-makers. The novel method developed to undertake the analysis can be applied to other sectors and the Academy welcomes interest in this area.
The Australian Science, Australia's Future: Science 2035 report is being launched today at a national symposium in Canberra hosted by the Academy.
