Australia's Labor government is countering fiscal challenges with a budget increase of nearly 25% to Aus$8.6 billion (US$6.5 billion) for science and innovation.

The inherent job prospects will come primarily from research opportunities associated with infrastructure spending. Most of the Aus$3.1 billion earmarked in the budget for research and development over the next four years will be spent on building the world-class facilities needed to fuel future research enterprises and industries.

“We are going to transform our economy by creating jobs for today, while at the same time building capacity and infrastructure for tomorrow,” says Kim Carr, Australia's minister for innovation, industry, science and research.

Kim Carr: aiming to transform the Australian economy.

The Super Science Initiative designates more than Aus$1 billion for increasing capacity in three key research areas to make Australia more competitive internationally: astronomy, marine and climate change, and future industries. For example, the budget allocates Aus$161 million to boost astronomy, including the establishment of an Australian National Centre of Square Kilometre Array Science to help its bid to site the giant telescope in Australia. Of Aus$388 million to boost marine and climate change research, Aus$120 million will buy a new research vessel. More than Aus$500 million is intended to encourage such industries as nanotechnology and biotechnology.

Kurt Lambeck, president of the Australian Academy of Science, says that the increased spending on research and development is a welcome surprise, but the lack of job opportunities has been a disappointment. “All the emphasis is on infrastructure, but what I call the 'human infrastructure' is missing,” says Lambeck.

The budget's commitment to human capital is focused primarily on training, aimed at attracting students to scientific fields. The budget increases the total number of PhD students receiving government stipends from 20% to 42%, and increases their tax-free pay by some Aus$2,000 annually to Aus$22,500 per year. The Super Science Initiative also provides for 100 new fellowships for early-career researchers during the next four years. Changes to laureate schemes should attract international scholars.

Mid-career opportunities have been overlooked, says Lambeck, and funding pressures prevent many universities replacing retired researchers. As the population is ageing, this is causing a gap to form at the mid-career stage.

Lambeck believes that the most important part of the budget is the change in government attitude. Providing for new research centres and equipment, and seeking new research frontiers, show a long-term commitment, he says.

Carr says this is a 10-year plan to accelerate economic recovery by harnessing research. “We're turning ideas into jobs,” he says.