Ed Husic tips $4.6 million in federal funding into quantum training

The Australian government is backing the quantum sector with $4.6 million in funding to improve education and collaboration.

National science organisation CSIRO has scored $3.6 million to fund up to 20 PhDs in quantum technology under the Australian Quantum Graduates Program.

A further $1 million goes to the Sydney Quantum Academy through the National Quantum Collaboration Initiative to develop industry capability through education and research.

Federal industry and science minister Ed Husic said the graduates program grant to CSIRO will help attract and train our nation’s next generation of quantum technology specialists.

“Australia is at the forefront of research and development in quantum technology, contributing to breakthroughs for more than two decades,” he said.

“Our capability is reflected across 22 quantum related institutions that have nurtured internationally sought-after talent. We have eight universities performing well above the international standard in quantum physics research.”

CSIRO predicted that quantum will generate $4 billion annually by 2040 and the sector is a core part of both the NSW and federal government’s technology and innovation strategies.

The NSW government built the Quantum Terminal hub as part of its Tech Central project and launched a $7 million quantum computing commercialisation fund at the start of 2023.

Last year, the federal government appointed several leading quantum startup founders, including Prof Michael Biercuk founder of Q-CTRL, Prof Michelle Simmons, founder of Silicon Quantum Computing, and Dr Vikram Sharma, founder of Quintessence Labs as part of a new 15-person advisory committee to drive the National Quantum Strategy.

Husic said governments need to build further on the work done so far.

“This includes offering Australians education opportunities in quantum so that we develop a pipeline of talent. This will be fundamental to deliver the 16,000 quantum-related jobs projected by 2040,” he said.

“Our efforts in quantum also need to be coordinated across the nation, with researchers, industry and government working together to reap the economic and social benefits.”