Australia's national science agency, the CSIRO, will secure an additional $233 million in funding in the 2025 mid-year economic and fiscal outlook, following significant job cuts aimed at easing cost pressures.
The funding boost builds on a $45 million operational top-up announced in March, after the agency flagged plans in November to cut up to 350 research roles amid rising costs and financial strain.
In total, around 800 positions were cut across the organisation in the year and a half leading up to the November announcement.
At the time, CSIRO said it needed to invest between $80 million and $135 million annually over the next decade to maintain essential infrastructure and technology, including repairs and maintenance, research equipment, cyber protection and other systems.
The agency also confirmed it was narrowing its research focus following an 18-month review, prioritising energy transition and climate change, farming productivity and resilience, and advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum, sensing, robotics and manufacturing.