RESEARCH FUNDING TO BACK MEDICAL MANUFACTURE

ED HUSIC MP
MINISTER FOR INDUSTRY AND SCIENCE
MEDIA RELEASE
RESEARCH FUNDING TO BACK MEDICAL MANUFACTURE
Thursday, 24 April 2025
A new research centre to help manufacture life-saving cures for diseases such as cancer is among
three new Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) supported by funding under the Albanese Labor
Government.
Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, today announced $158 million to support local
science, research and commercialisation under the latest round of the CRC Program – including
the establishment of the SMART CRC.
$65 million over ten years will assist SMART CRC to manufacture cures for cancer, heart diseases,
arthritis and other age-related ailments, to save lives and improve quality of life for patients, whilst
reducing pressure on our hospital networks.
$173 million in cash and in-kind contributions from 63 project partners will further support SMART
CRC’s research programs which are expected to generate economic benefit of up to $4.6 billion.
For every taxpayer dollar spent, CRC Projects are estimated to return nearly $8 in economic
benefit.
Cooperative Research Centres are an ongoing program. The Government’s investments in the CRC
program have been reflected in prior budget updates. These CRCs were successful in receiving
investment in the lead up to the caretaker period.
The other Round 25 recipients are:
• Care Economy CRC: $35 million over ten years to revolutionise the care sector by bringing
together industry, government, research partners and care service providers to customise
and commercialise new technologies, data solutions and models of care.
• Additive Manufacturing CRC: $58 million over seven years to establish a world-class
additive manufacturing ecosystem spanning the entire value chain. Their sustainable
manufacturing will reduce carbon footprints across our supply chains, as well as
maintenance and transport costs, whilst increasing engagement and productivity.
Combined, the three CRCs will leverage more than $475 million in cash and in-kind contributions
from project partners to provide billions of dollars in economic benefit and grow globally
competitive industries.
The CRCs will involve more than 220 project partners working across Australia, including small-to
medium enterprises, university partners and government agencies.
The CRC Program brings together industry, researchers and end users to help solve industry
identified problems.
There’s a current focus on alignment with the National Reconstruction Fund’s priority areas –
including enabling capabilities, medical science, renewables and low emission technologies.
Since the inception of the CRC Program under the Hawke Government in 1990, $5.8 billion has
been committed to the establishment of hundreds of CRCs, with further support from industry
partners.
Quotes attributable the Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic:
“Bob Hawke set up CRCs to team up our world-class know-how with the best brains in business.
“For decades they’ve delivered great results for Australians and for our economy, which is why
we’re expanding it with $158 million to deal with the challenges of the future.
“Being able to make our own life-saving treatments onshore is hugely important to our nation.
“Our new CRCs will also promote better aged care and tap into the huge potential of 3-D printing
for manufacturing – building a future for all Australians.”
Quotes attributable the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney:
“The care economy is Australia’s largest employer and is growing at three times the rate of total
national employment – but, after years of undervaluing these women-dominant and culturally
diverse industries, we’re seeing significant shortages.
“The Care Economy CRC is about investing in our care workers and participants. It will address
critical workforce shortages, help to better understand the industry through data collection, and
invest in technology and drive improvements in quality of care.
“I’m so pleased to see that La Trobe University’s world-class leading research is being recognised
and supported. With La Trobe, as part of the Care Economy CRC team, it’s really exciting to see
Skye Docherty | M +61 (0) 459 288 137 |
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