Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, will proceed with plans to cut up to 350 jobs despite receiving an additional $387.4 million in federal funding over four years. The agency says the cuts, announced in November, are already underway and necessary for long-term sustainability.
The new funding, announced by Science Minister Tim Ayres, will support projects in medical research, pandemic preparedness, and advanced technology development. It adds to $278 million announced last year and the agency's existing annual budget of nearly $1 billion.
CSIRO chief executive Doug Hilton expressed gratitude for the government's vote of confidence but confirmed the job reductions would continue. The agency has already eliminated over 800 positions in the past two years, with a total of 1,150 jobs cut since early 2024, according to the CSIRO Staff Association.
Minister Ayres said the investment would strengthen CSIRO for the modern age, particularly upgrading the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness. He emphasized the need to prepare for future pandemics and biological hazards.
The CPSU, representing CSIRO staff, welcomed the funding but noted it would not reverse the job losses. Union president Beth Vincent-Pietsch said previous funding injections had not saved any jobs, impacting the agency's research capacity.
