Australian Science, Australia’s Future: Science 2035

Launch of ‘Australian Science, Australia’s Future: Science 2035’

National symposium now open for registrations: 4 September 2025, Canberra and online

Australians require a science and technology uplift to prosper in the future – both in terms of skills and capability. But do we have the national science capability we need to rise to this challenge? 

The Australian Academy of Science 2025 national symposium will unpack this question.

There has never been a national effort to systematically assess Australia’s science capability against its future needs, until now. This symposium will see the Academy launch one of the most ambitious policy efforts in our history.

The symposium is essential for industry leaders looking for in-depth analysis to inform their future directions, and for science and policy leaders tasked with shaping the Australian science and education landscapes.

Date: Thursday 4 September 2025
Time: 9.00am – 4.30pm
Venue: Shine Dome, 15 Gordon Street, Acton ACT 2601, and online

A 10-year plan for how science will support our national ambitions

The Australian Academy of Science is developing a 10-year plan that will position science to support our national ambitions.

‘Australian Science, Australia’s Future: Science 2035’ will examine 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.

Our nation’s multiple challenges, from health to climate change, complex geopolitics and supply chain interruptions, along with technological and digital transformation, highlight the critical need for a strategic national approach to science to ensure we have the capacity and the talent to secure our future and our place in the world.

This initiative will:

• explore ways to ensure Australia has the necessary scientific capability to meet an unpredictable future
• evaluate national capability in science across the entire system, including schools, universities, VET, science-based institutions, industry and government
• consider how science needs to evolve or change to meet our challenges and advance Australian interests locally and globally.

Why do we need a plan for science?

All Australians should have access to the underpinnings of a proud, secure and prosperous modern nation: quality education, leading healthcare, economic stability and a strong and resilient environment. They should benefit from the opportunities provided by a country that is fair, prosperous, secure and an exemplary global citizen.

Australia’s challenge is to ensure sovereign capability in science to adapt to an increasingly contested world.

Australia faces four major challenges:

1. Demographic change: Australia’s population is changing and ageing. It is growing, culturally and ethnically diverse and, while increasingly urban, is dispersed widely across regional and remote areas, creating unique challenges for the delivery of healthcare, education and food supply.
2. Technological transformation: Technological advances are accelerating at unprecedented speeds, including digitalisation and artificial intelligence. Sovereign capability will be critical for responsible adoption and implementation, security and economic resilience.
3. Climate change, decarbonisation and the environment: Australia must rapidly mitigate climate change and transform into a carbon-neutral nation. Simultaneously, it must anticipate, manage and adapt to a changing climate and build resilience across its economy, infrastructure, communities and environment.
4. Supply chain resilience: Australia lacks industrial diversity and onshore end-to-end capabilities for advanced manufacturing, making it susceptible to external shocks like trade disputes, extreme weather events, pandemics and military conflicts.

Get involved

Submissions to nominate scientific disciplines to underpin the four challenges and to nominate experts have now closed. 

We encourage you to stay involved with this initiative. Subscribe to our Science and Policy Diplomacy newsletter, or email science.policy@science.org.au if you have any questions. 

Advisory Panel members

• Professor Ian Chubb AC FAA FTSE (Chair)
• Professor Andrew Cuthbertson AO FAA FAHMS FTSE
• Ms Mibu Fischer
• Professor Joan Leach
• Dr Martin Parkinson AC PSM
• Professor Philip Poronnik
• Ms Kate Pounder
• Professor Margaret Sheil AO FAA FTSE
• Dr Ed Simpson
• Mrs Fiona Simson
• Dr Katherine Woodthorpe AO FTSE

This 10-year plan is being developed through untied funding from the Michael Dopita FAA bequest. The Academy gratefully acknowledges Professor Michael Dopita FAA, whose gift was made “in the sure knowledge that the money will be well-spent in securing a more healthy, literate, rational and science-driven future for all Australians”.

Learn more about how you can support the Academy.