Overview
- The national science agency will remove 300 to 350 full-time research roles across Australia following an 18‑month portfolio review.
- CSIRO says it needs an extra $80 million to $135 million each year for essential infrastructure and technology, with about 80% of its properties nearing end-of-life.
- Leaders say the reset will prioritise climate resilience, clean energy and advanced technologies, with formal staff consultation scheduled to start in January 2026 and initial notifications to staff this week.
- The CSIRO Staff Association and sector groups denounced the cuts and called for federal funding, noting more than 800 positions have already been lost in the past 18 months.
- CEO Doug Hilton says government appropriations have risen about 1.3% annually over 15 years as research costs climbed faster, while reports point to possible reductions in health and biosecurity, agriculture and food, and environment units that CSIRO has not yet confirmed.