Australian Government Invites Feedback on Critical Technologies

The Australian Federal Government will begin consulting businesses, researchers and the community at large to identify critical technologies of national importance.

The List of Critical Technologies in the National Interest will clarify technologies the government considers to be vital to present and future demands.

The 2022 List of Critical Technologies in the National Interest will build on the 2021 List, which featured 63 technologies across seven categories including:

- Advanced materials and manufacturing
- AI, computing and communications
- Biotechnology, gene technology and vaccines
- Energy and environment
- Quantum; Sensing, timing and navigation
- Transportation, robotics and space

The consultation will run until Friday 30 September.

Federal Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, said it is vital for Australia’s continued and future prosperity that emerging and critical technologies are promoted and protected.

“We know the development of critical technologies present enormous potential opportunities as well as risks for Australians,” Mr Husic said.

“It is vital we understand and send a clear signal about what technologies we should be focusing on and where our strengths lie – and that is exactly what this consultation is all about.”

The Federal Government has promised to invest $1 billion into critical technologies through its National Reconstruction Fund and will aim to reach 1.2 million tech industry jobs by 2030.

“This work is also part of our goal to reach 1.2 million tech jobs by 2030, as well as securing our supply chains and promoting Australia as a secure destination of excellence for investment, development and adoption of critical technologies,” Mr Husic said.

“The Government is also investing $1 billion in critical technologies as part of the National Reconstruction Fund, to build our strategic capability and power the economic growth we need to create jobs.”