Science, Research and Innovation (SRI) Budget Tables

Question

Senator KOVACIC: Is the department aware of the other cuts to research spending across the Commonwealth such that, under the most recent science, research and industry budget tables, our investment in R&D will shrink year on year to the point that, by 2028-29-based on the numbers that I have-it will be behind where it was at the start of the decade, and that's before we adjust for inflation? Is that correct? Ms Morton: The information I have is that, across government, the government has actually increased its investment in research funding. In 2025-26, it provided $15.1 billion, which was a 1.4 per cent increase on $14.9 billion in 2024-25. That was across government. Within the education portfolio, we will be providing $4.2 billion in research funding in 2026-27, and that includes the ARC funding and ANU funding. And then, within the department alone, we're providing around $2.9 billion in funding as well. I'm not sure whether those figures are the same as the ones that you have access to, but there's certainly been an increase across government. Senator KOVACIC: The figure you're providing is from the SRI tables; is that correct? Ms Morton: We've got the 2025-26 data, which is the data I've referred to- Senator KOVACIC: That's from the SRI tables. Ms Morton: Yes; that is my understanding. The 2026-27 tables are put together by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. They haven't yet put that together. Senator KOVACIC: The figures I'm providing are also from the SRI tables, from the 2029 figures. If you're able to cross-check that for me, that would be good. Ms Morton: Yes, we will. Senator KOVACIC: Thank you.

Answer

Please see the attached PDF.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• SQ26-000717.pdf (opens in a new tab)