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, announced on May 9, 2026. The funding is on top of $278 million allocated last year, bringing total new commitments to $665.4 million.
CSIRO Chief Executive Dr. Doug Hilton stated that the job cuts are part of a broader restructuring to focus on priority areas such as renewable energy, digital technologies, and biosecurity. The agency aims to reduce its workforce by about 5% over the next two years, with voluntary redundancies offered first.
The federal government's funding boost is intended to support CSIRO's long-term research programs, but the agency insists the cuts are necessary to streamline operations and redirect resources. Unions have criticized the decision, arguing that the additional funding should be used to preserve jobs.
CSIRO employs approximately 5,500 staff across Australia. The job cuts are expected to affect roles in administrative and support functions, with minimal impact on frontline research positions. The agency has not yet provided a timeline for the redundancies.
