Pre-Budget submission 2020-2021

Gross expenditure on R&D should therefore be returned to a positive trajectory as a proportion of GDP, ideally with a longer term goal more consistent with the OECD average, to ensure we remain competitive in this sector and continue to reap the associated economic and societal benefits. This investment could be made through existing mechanisms, including the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian Research Council; and via appropriate levels of indirect cost recovery to all institutions recipient of federal research funding, including from the Medical Research Future Fund.

as outlined in our joint submission through the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA). Some areas of research have seen significant disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic and action is needed from governments, funders and institutions to ensure this work can get back on track as soon as possible.

There is an urgent need to strategically balance funding across the increasing number of national and global health challenges with which we are confronted.

remains available to governments and policymakers as Australia tackles this pandemic, as well as future national and global challenges.

Further information on the 2020-21 Pre-Budget submission process is available from the Treasury website.

You can download our submission in full below.