The University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) has unveiled Australia's first industry-accessible cryogenic measurement laboratory at its Springfield campus, giving researchers and industry direct access to the environments required to develop next-generation quantum technologies.
The $5.5 million Quantum Cryo Lab strengthens Australia's capacity to design and test quantum hardware, supporting technologies with potential applications across healthcare, cybersecurity, logistics, defence, and energy.
UniSQ Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research, Development and Commercialisation) Professor Robert Sang said the lab marks a significant step forward.
"The launch of the Quantum Cryo Lab is a major milestone for UniSQ and for Queensland," Professor Sang said.
"It places advanced experimental quantum capability into the hands of researchers, industry, and government, and enables the testing of new technology based on quantum science.
"At UniSQ, we have the capability to build and run this complex infrastructure, enabling researchers and industry to test their devices and move faster from idea to prototype to impact.
"It supports innovation and collaboration that simply wouldn't be possible otherwise."
By enabling earlier and more frequent testing, the facility will help accelerate the development of quantum hardware.
The lab is designed to support a broad range of users, including researchers, industry partners, and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), providing access to capabilities that are typically too expensive.
It will also serve as a collaboration hub, bringing together universities, industry and startups to co-develop technologies and move them closer to market.
Foundation partner Analog Quantum Circuits (AQC) is the first organisation to utilise the facility, having supported its development and now operating as an anchor client.
CEO Dr Tom Stace said access to specialised infrastructure would shape the next phase of global competition in advanced technologies.
"We are at a pivotal moment globally for advanced technologies, where access to specialised infrastructure will define future capability," Dr Stace said.
"Working within Australia's first industry-accessible quantum cryogenic lab is incredibly exciting – it not only enables innovation at a new level but demonstrates Queensland's ambition to become a global destination for quantum and cryogenic technologies."
The facility was officially opened last week by Dr Christian Rowan MP, Assistant Minister to the Premier and Leader of the House, on behalf of the Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation the Honourable Andrew Powell MP, alongside UniSQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Paul Mazerolle.
The Quantum Cryo Lab is delivered as part of the Queensland Government's Quantum and Advanced Technologies Commercialisation Infrastructure Program (QCIP), which is supporting the development of advanced technology capability across the state.
The facility is now open for bookings, providing access to advanced cryogenic testing capability in Australia.
This project has been proudly funded by the Queensland Government under the Quantum and Advanced Technologies Commercialisation Infrastructure Program.
