Critical skills for Australia’s future: the national strategic review of mathematical sciences research in Australia

Urgent action is needed to avert the 'fatal course' of mathematical sciences in Australia, this strategic review concludes. It makes four key findings:

1. Mathematical research in Australia is becoming increasingly narrowly focused.
2. The number of mathematics and statistics students and lecturers at Australian universities is critically low.
3. Mathematicians and statisticians are not teaching all the university courses in mathematics and statistics. Many university courses such as engineering that should include a strong mathematics and statistics component, no longer do.
4. Not enough trained mathematics teachers are entering the high school system. Australian students are abandoning higher-level mathematics in favour of elementary mathematics.

The review presents a way forward with five key recommendations:

1. Significantly increase the number of university graduates with appropriate mathematical and statistical training.
2. Broaden the mathematical sciences research base.
3. Identify, anticipate and meet industry needs for a pool or tertiary-trained expert mathematicians and statisticians.
4. Ensure that all mathematics teachers in Australian schools have appropriate training in the disciplines of mathematics and statistics to the highest international standards.
5. Encourage greater numbers of high school students to study intermediate and advanced mathematics.

This review took place under the auspices of the National Committee for the Mathematical Sciences with financial support from the Australian Research Council, the Australian Mathematical Society, Inc., the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute, and the Statistical Society of Australia, Inc.

Download key findings and recommendations

More information on the review

This University of Melbourne webpage hosts information related to the review including the terms of reference, submissions and other relevant reviews.