Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley has flagged big things for science and emerging technology in Australia. Addressing the Regional Australia Institute’s National Summit in 2022, she outlined an ambitious plan.  

“Australia’s ambition is to lift the complexity of manufacturing and enter the global supply chain for low-emissions manufacturing, including hydrogen, batteries and solar cells,” she said.  

“We have ambition for medical manufacturing and biotechnology, new forms of agriculture and food production, and carbon sequestration. We aim to play a larger role in the space industry and lift our defence capability.” 

Science is ever evolving and there will always be a need for companies that drive innovation, and a workforce adequately sized and skilled to meet the demands of a thriving and diverse industry. With that in mind, we take a look at five areas we think will underpin the future of science in Australia. 

1. Data scientists and analysts 

Businesses of all types and sizes are increasingly relying on data analysis to make informed decisions. Data scientists and analysts are experts at collecting, analysing, and interpreting large sets of data to provide insights and recommendations. 

These roles are particularly valuable with the rise of big data, as well as the increasing significance of artificial intelligence and machine learning to the way we work (more on those below).  

Data science is ranked in the top five jobs in Australia not just by industry demand but also by salary. Deloitte predicts the annual growth of data science jobs in Australia to be 2.4 per cent, compared with an average overall job growth rate of 1.4 per cent. 

On those numbers and with the almost endless range of industries that are relying increasingly on data analysis to inform their decision making, it’s easy to see why data science will remain one of the central scientific fields well into the future. 

2. Artificial intelligence and machine learning engineers 

According to the CSIRO, technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) “will transform economies and the basis of competition globally, unlock new societal and environmental value and accelerate scientific discovery”. 

“Many of the challenges facing our society require multidisciplinary solutions which are larger than a single human brain can solve,” they state on their Future Science Platforms website. “Digital technologies will be one of the key drivers of new industries in coming decades.” 

AI and ML already have applications across a broad range of industries, from healthcare to finance to transportation. As they continue to become more prevalent, AI and ML engineers will be needed to design, build and implement these digital technologies of the future.  

3. Renewable energy specialists 

This will remain an area of monumental expansion as Australia and the world continue to combat the effects of climate change resulting from greenhouse gas emissions.  

Reducing Australia’s reliance on fossil fuels and transitioning to renewable energy sources presents a great challenge for Australian industry and the labour force, but also a great opportunity. A diverse range of experts will be needed for the development and implementation of the technologies underpinning renewable energies like solar, wind, and geothermal power. 

That extends to the design and development of power infrastructure, as well as components like batteries and semiconductors, which will be required to underpin the switch to clean energy. 

4. Cybersecurity experts 

There is immense demand for cybersecurity experts both within Australia and around the world. Analysts for ACS, the professional association for Australia’s technology community, has predicted 30,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in Australia by 2026, and 3.5 million globally. 

It’s easy to understand why. As the world becomes more connected, the risk of cyberattacks is increasing. Sometimes those attacks are of enormous significance: we’ve seen alleged cybersecurity breaches threaten the integrity of everything from the 2017 US election to Brexit. 

But companies and organisations big and small are wary of the risks of cyberattacks. Cybersecurity experts work to implement security protocols and systems to protect against potential attacks. Their role will only become more important as the sophistication of such threats increases. 

5. Biomedical engineers 

We’ve looked previously at Australia’s rise as a global hub for life sciences. It’s somewhat of a boom industry, and seems likely to continue to grow, especially with the local and international investment we’re seeing in newer technologies like MRNA vaccines. 

Biomedical engineers work at the intersection of biology and engineering. They use their expertise to design and develop medical devices and equipment, as well as technologies for diagnosing and treating diseases. 

You only need to consider the diversity of clinical trials we’ve seen announced in Australia in recent times to appreciate the potential scale of this field. These new medical technologies target anything from cancer to kidney disease to mental health issues. Biomedical engineers clearly have a central role to play in the future of Australian life sciences. 

“Science in the service of humanity” 

The next decade is expected to bring significant demand for science jobs in a wide range of fields – the five we've explored here are just the tip of the iceberg. What’s more, as science and technology expands and evolves it will have flow-on effects across many industries, and across society. 

“My role is to provide science-based advice to government, and promote the place of science in bettering our nation and solving its challenges,” said Dr Foley. “It’s a role I believe in wholeheartedly. I don’t need convincing about the pure and phenomenal potential of science. 

“But ... science cannot do it alone. Science builds knowledge and ignites discovery. Bringing that to a real-world application involves a swathe of other expertise – from design, to business expertise, to investment, social licence, ethical and legal expertise and regulation.” 

In summary, she says: “It is not science for science’s sake. What we’re seeking is science in the service of humanity.” 



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