Australia’s National Robotics Strategy
May 2024
Strategies and Action Plans
Author: Australian Government's Department of Industry, Science and Resources
The National Robotics Strategy provides a comprehensive framework designed to strengthen Australia’s robotics and automation capabilities. This strategy emphasises building a sustainable and globally competitive ecosystem while ensuring the technologies are inclusive, beneficial to local communities, and supportive of Australian workers.
Vision
The vision of the strategy is for Australian industries to responsibly develop and use robotics and automation technologies. This vision is aimed at strengthening national competitiveness, boosting productivity, and providing direct support to local communities. The strategy recognises robotics and automation as transformative forces that can address critical national challenges and create opportunities for sustainable growth.
Goals and objectives
National capability
Goal: Develop a strong and collaborative robotics ecosystem that thrives domestically and competes globally.
- Boost research and development, commercialisation, and scaling of Australian solutions targeting areas of strength.
- Use government’s purchasing power to grow domestic demand for robotics and automation.
- Raise the profile of Australia’s robotics and automation capabilities both locally and globally.
- Leverage international partnerships and state and territory governments to create new opportunities.
Increasing adoption
Goal: Support Australian industries in integrating robotics and automation technologies to benefit workers and communities.
- Promote awareness of robotics’ benefits across critical sectors like agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare.
- Provide incentives for businesses to adopt robotics solutions developed in Australia.
- Improve digital and telecommunications infrastructure to underpin robotic systems.
Trust, inclusion, and responsible development
Goal: Ensure robotics technologies are secure, safe, and inclusive for Australian workers and communities.
- Update regulatory frameworks to accommodate advancements in automation and robotics.
- Address the social impacts of robotics in critical industries and workplaces.
- Strengthen Australia’s engagement in setting international standards for robotics technologies.
- Promote safety and cybersecurity in the design and application of robotics systems.
Skills and diversity
Goal: Enable Australians from diverse backgrounds to contribute to and benefit from the development and application of robotics technologies.
- Strengthen pathways into robotics-related careers through education and industry collaboration.
- Encourage greater diversity in the robotics sector, especially among women and First Nations peoples.
- Monitor workforce changes to align skills development with advancements in robotics and automation technologies.
Introduction to policies
National Reconstruction Fund (NRF): The NRF, with a budget of $15 billion, is a cornerstone of the strategy. Its purpose is to diversify and modernise Australia’s industrial base, supporting critical technologies such as robotics. This fund aims to bridge the investment gap in developing and scaling high-value manufacturing solutions. It ensures that Australian companies are positioned to take advantage of emerging markets while strengthening national capabilities and securing supply chains.
Research and development tax incentive: This policy encourages businesses to invest in innovation by offering tax offsets for eligible R&D expenditures. It seeks to reduce financial barriers to innovation, particularly in robotics and automation, ensuring Australian industries remain competitive globally. The tax incentive is tailored to drive transformative research into areas where Australian industries can gain leadership.
Industry growth program (IGP): The IGP provides targeted support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the robotics and automation sectors. Its goal is to help these businesses overcome early-stage challenges by providing commercialisation advice, networking opportunities, and funding to support innovation. By fostering collaboration between companies, researchers, and government entities, the IGP ensures a robust ecosystem for technological growth.
Trailblazer Universities program: This program focuses on bridging the gap between academia and industry. It supports Australian universities in translating research into commercial applications. The program encourages partnerships that align academic expertise with the needs of the robotics industry, enabling the creation of innovative products and services that address national and global challenges.
Key areas of focus
Field robots: These robots operate in large, unstructured outdoor environments. Their applications range from precision farming to infrastructure maintenance, demonstrating Australia’s unique strengths in agricultural and mining technologies.
Drones and cobots: Drones provide advanced monitoring and management capabilities, especially in emergency response and environmental conservation. Collaborative robots (cobots) are designed to work safely alongside humans, offering significant opportunities in manufacturing, healthcare, and education.
Critical technologies: Robotics technologies integrate with critical technologies like AI, quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing. These integrations enhance the functionality of robotics systems, making them more adaptable, precise, and efficient for diverse industries.
Addressing challenges
The strategy identifies several challenges that hinder the growth and adoption of robotics technologies. One significant issue is the high cost of developing robotics systems, which deters small and medium-sized businesses from entering the market. Another barrier is the limited commercialisation of research outputs, as startups face difficulties in accessing capital and navigating the market. Moreover, Australia’s dependency on imported robotics components poses risks to the supply chain, making local manufacturing a priority for the strategy. Lastly, the lack of diversity in the STEM workforce limits innovation, underscoring the importance of inclusion and targeted workforce development.
Indicators of success
The strategy outlines measurable indicators to evaluate progress. These include growth in the size and employment rates of the robotics industry, increased R&D expenditure, a rise in robotics-related patent filings, and the success of Australian-made robotics in domestic and international markets. Achieving these milestones will reflect the strategy’s effectiveness in building a globally competitive robotics ecosystem