The Queensland government is rolling out its Quantum and Advanced Technologies Strategy by the end of 2023, delivering more high-value tech jobs building on the National Quantum Technology.
The strategy seeks to upskill Queensland workers and train them in quantum technologies. It will also ensure that those ongoing high-value jobs are available in Queensland.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Queensland government will collaborate with universities and industry to develop the Quantum and Advanced Technologies Strategy, which seeks to boost a new quantum and advanced technologies sector in the state.
“If we can develop production facilities for advanced technologies in Queensland, we can commercialise research and IP here instead of seeing it go offshore,” the Premier added.
The strategy will actively contribute to the further growth of Queensland’s capabilities, according to University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry.
“Quantum technologies promise to help address national and global challenges, and our researchers are at the forefront of discovery science and are connected with the most advanced experimentation taking place anywhere,” Professor Terry said. “We are already an important training ground for the next generation of quantum scientists and the strategy will help create a pipeline of talent to ensure continued excellence for the years to come.”
Quantum tech has applications across renewable energy, critical minerals, batteries, medicine, and defence. Queensland has positioned itself as a world leader in quantum and advanced technologies, including compound semiconductors used in power electronics, LEDs and optoelectronic devices, photonics used in sensing and optical computing, and Micro Electrical-Mechanical Systems.
The state’s existing industry and research capacity involves Silanna Semiconductor, Queensland Semiconductor Technologies, Semefab Limited, and the Queensland Microtechnology Facility.
There is significant research-grade equipment including at ANFF-Q, Griffith University, at the University of Queensland, the Queensland University of Technology and the University of Southern Queensland to support the emerging quantum and advanced technologies sector.
The next step is to develop production-scale facilities to support commercialisation, the Queensland government said in a media release.
