Science and Innovation Framework

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The Western Australian Government's Science and Innovation Framework outlines the science and innovation priorities in Western Australia.
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We acknowledge the importance of government leadership and the need for clear signals about science and innovation priorities in Western Australia. The WA Government’s priority areas have been refocused to bring the science and innovation portfolios together under the banner of a new single framework.

WA is fortunate to have talented people and many competitive advantages. We will leverage and build on these competitive advantages and focus on priority areas in science and innovation that are especially important for enriching lives, creating jobs and diversifying the economy.

The priority areas are:

  • Supporting research and development to encourage innovation in the mining sector, particularly building on WA’s leading role in the use of automation, robotics and remote operations.
  • Supporting research and technological innovation to advance opportunities in the energy sector including renewables and new energy materials.
  • Improving the health and wellbeing of Western Australians by supporting research and the development and application of cutting-edge medical technologies and innovation.
  • Enhancing research capability and growth in the agriculture and aquaculture sectors, including through digital transformation and innovation.
  • Advocating for sustainable management of our plant, animal and marine environments through research and technological innovation and collaboration, and supporting opportunities to benefit from WA’s unique biodiversity.
  • Strengthening WA’s space capabilities and building the space industry, and supporting our involvement in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) through our leading role in radio astronomy.
  • Building WA’s capabilities in advanced and digital technology, supercomputing and cybersecurity to assist in the development of business opportunities across all sectors.
  • Promoting the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by preparing the current and future workforce with the STEM skills required to embrace a technological future.

The WA Government has invested more than $23 million per annum through science grants and $16.7 million over 4 years through the New Industries Fund. This is in addition to the considerable support provided through other areas of government.

In August 2018, the Hon Dave Kelly MLA, Minister for Innovation and ICT; Science released the framework. Read the Science and Innovation Framework media release.